Latics comfortably complete festive double over Hartlepool

Latics beat Hartlepool 2-0 at Boundary Park

Latics beat Hartlepool for the second time in a matter of days - this time 2-0 at Boundary Park.

The result lifted Micky Mellon's side to the very brink of the National League play-off places.

They currently sit in eighth place, only behind seventh-placed Halifax on goal difference.

After beat the same opponents on Boxing Day, Latics went ahead yesterday inside two minutes as Josh Stones met a diagonal ball with a sweet half-volley into the bottom corner.

The hosts, who have now won five of their last seven league games, pushed for another and James Norwood twice went close early in the second half.

Substitute Anthony Mancini was lively for Hartlepool and forced two saves from Mathew Hudson, but Latics wrapped up the points five minutes from time when Mike Fondop poked home from a corner.

The result proved too much for the Hartlepool hierarchy, who sacked manager John Askey last night after a sixth game without a win.

Askey, who had been in charge of the club since February, has seen his side pick up only three wins in their past 19 league games and drop to 17th place in the National League.

Latics' next fixture is on Saturday (January 6) when they travel to Dorking Wanderers.

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