HARTLEPOOL United ended a difficult week with an important victory as John Askey's side maintained their perfect home record to keep pace at the top of the National League.

Pools were last week rocked by the news that key duo Anthony Mancini and Dan Dodds would miss the rest of the season through injury, but recovered from that setback with a 2-1 victory over Wealdstone at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Tom Crawford put Pools ahead before Mani Dieseruvwe hit his sixth goal in as many games. The visitors got a goal back through subsitute Tarryn Allarakhia but Hartlepool held on to make it four wins from four on home turf.

"It's a very important win. We needed that after the week we'd had as a club," said assistant manager Mark Goodlad.

"Everyone has rallied around, they know what's expected of them and the gaffer has reiterated it a number of times this week, don't use it as an excuse. The message was let's go out there, put in a performance and keep the home record going, which we've done.

"The lads were on it all week. The gaffer demands certain standards and as he's said, this is an opportunity for someone else to come in.

"All wins are important. This one was because it keeps our home record going. The fans are a massive help. You can sense teams get nervous here. It's a really good result."

After former Middlesbrough and Darlington defender Dan Dodds suffered an ACL injury, Pools turned to the transfer market and brought in Bradford defender Luke Hendrie on loan, his third stint at the club. He went straight into the team on Saturday.

Goodlad said: "Obviously he's played League One and Two football. He has experience, he's competitive, he's good on the ball. I'm sure he'll grow into the team."

After last week's defeat at Chesterfield, Askey made a swap between the posts on Saturday, bringing in Pete Jameson to replace Joel Dixon, who dropped to the bench.

Goodlad said: "We have two very good goalkeepers at the club and only one can play.

"The gaffer has a decision to make, which decision is right for each game. I'm sure they'll work together in training, they get on great and they'll keep pushing each other."

Pools now turn their attention to Saturday's trip to Oxford City, who have won just one of their first seven games.