New Hartlepool United head coach Kevin Phillips enjoyed a winning start to his reign with a 2-1 home win over York City.
Before Dipo Akinyemi stole a late consolation goal for the visiting team, returning striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe emerged victorious with two goals in the second half.
Pools now sit in 12th place in the National League standings after the win.
They remain seven points below both the relegation zone and the final play-off berth.
After replacing John Askey as the team’s manager, former England striker Phillips watched Tuesday night’s loss to Kidderminster from the stands due to a touchline ban from his time with South Shields. This was Phillips’ first time in the dugout.
After a corner, Akinyemi’s cross from the right was headed wide by Will Davies, giving York an early opportunity to counterattack.
At the halfway point, Joel Dixon, the goalkeeper for Pools, also produced a brilliant save to tip away a low attempt from Billy Chadwick.
With 17 minutes remaining, Dieseruvwe, who hasn’t featured since getting hurt in the 4–4 draw at Wealdstone on December 23, broke the deadlock when he pounced on a sloppy clearing and stabbed the ball in from close range.
In the 87th minute, he subsequently earned and scored his 15th goal of the season for the National League.
In front of what could be a more difficult February, Pools has now won three of its five league games since the start of the year, despite the fact that they have been against teams lower in the standings.
The schedule for next month starts on Saturday, February 3, with a trip to Kent to play second-place Bromley.
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