HARTLEPOOL went back to basics to end their inconsistent run with a win that could have been even more comprehensive. They dominated the game from start to finish, but looked as if they were going to let Crewe off the hook until defender Michael Nelson and Richard Barker slotted three goals between them in the last quarter for a morale-boosting win. Pools boss Danny Wilson had taken the captaincy off Nelson before the game, and said: “He was doing the job of three people and we felt it was the thing to do. It appears to have worked, because he was back at his best today, and the goal was crucial. “The platform for the win was in the defence, where Michael was outstanding, and the experience of Robbie Elliott was also a major bonus. “We haven’t been at our best lately, but that was a lot better. We didn’t let Crewe get into the game, showed a lot of patience, and got our reward in the end. The first-half was amazingly one-sided, but without goals as Pools wasted a string of chances, had a strong penalty appeal turned down and hit the woodwork just before the break. Their short-passing approach play was impressive, cutting Crewe to shreds time after time, but their finishing was way off the mark. Gary Liddle and James Brown both sent shots over the bar early on, Ian Moore following suit before Richie Humphreys blasted wide from 25 yards. Moore thought he had a penalty when he was chopped down by Elliott Bennett, but play was waved on only for Moore to see his shot saved by keeper Ben Williams. Brown sent another shot over the bar before Pools had a reminder that they could be caught on the break, Shaun Miller scuffing his shot in front of a gaping goal after a right-wing cross from Michael O’Connor. But the closest shave for Crewe came second before the break when Moore cross to the far post from the right and Humphreys had plenty of time to settle before powering in a diving header which had Williams well beaten, only to come back off the keeper’s right-hand post. It looked like it was going the same way in the second half, Gary Liddle missing a sitter in the opening minute after good work by James Brown. But Pools kept plugging away, and the reward came on 67 minutes. Elliott crossed from the right and Nelson powered in at the far post to bullet his header into the net. Pools were able to relax a little, though Crewe looked useful on the break, and substitute Barker eased the nerves in the last few minutes. He had only been on for eight minutes when he got his first with five minutes left, slotting in an angled shot from near the penalty spot. And when Moore was chopped down by Michael O’Connor a minute later, Barker was on the spot again to slam in the penalty. | 
