HARTLEPOOL UNITED made it six games without defeat, as they coasted to a 2-0 win at Leyton Orient.

Pools are now 17th in League Two, some 14 points ahead of the drop zone. Safety has all but been assured in a majestic March.

Goals in the second half from Billy Paynter and Nathan Thomas proved the difference over Kevin Nolan’s side.

Paynter, who had a goal ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time, opened the scoring on 49 minutes.

Lewis Hawkins moved to the ball left to Jake Carroll, who linked up with Luke James and the left-back crossed brilliantly for Paynter to knock in his 12th of the season.

With Adam Jackson and Matthew Bates solid at the back again, Pools had a firm platform.

And they made it two with a special goal from Nathan Thomas.

Hawkins sprayed the ball to Thomas on the right side of the area, who cut inside, went outside and smashed his shot past the keeper.

Pools stopper Trevor Carson made two late saved to keep the lead intact, but Pools were superb value for the win.

Hignett beamed: "I’m delighted with the lads, we kept a good shape and the disciple of the side was fantastic.

“We scored two really good goals and overall to come to a place like Orient, who are pushing for a play-of place and play like that I have to be delighted.

“We know what we are doing as a team, four clean sheets in a row and I did toy with the idea of changing it, but the lads have earned their shirts and their energy levels were fantastic.

“I’ve got lads on the bench who are desperate to play and I wouldn’t hesitate to play them – the quandary for me now is do I play them and give them a chance, or see how high we can get?’’