Crewe secured a potentially season-changing first win in seven after making the most of Hartlepool's woes.

Defeat at the hands of an improving Pools would have left the margins all too uncomfortable at the basement of League Two during a decisive phase of fixtures against fellow strugglers.

But the Alex made the most of Jamie Sterry's 13th-minute red card and eased to victory to move up to 17th spot and nine points clear of Hartlepool, who drop down to second from bottom.

Callum Ainley fired in his first goal in 18 months after determined work by Dan Agyei, who rode the challenge of Arsenal youngster Taylor Foran near the byline in the 31st-minute. Then on-loan Southampton midfielder Ryan Finnigan doubled the lead with a belting volley eight minutes later after keeper Jakub Stolarczyk failed to land a clearing punch on Joel Tabiner's free kick.

Southampton youngster Ryan Finnigan doubled the lead with his first senior goal (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

After Dan Kemp buried an early free kick into the side netting, the game swung in Crewe's favour when Sterry, who had spent time on loan at Crewe four years ago, received a straight red card from referee Neil Hair after a late challenge on Rio Adebisi near the halfway line.

Former Alex man Oli Finney should have made the most of a juicy chance that Kemp landed on a plate to him at the back stick but the midfielder volleyed over.

Soon the Alex had made their numerical advantage count. Pools made it tougher after the break with boss Keith Curle making a raft of changes and there were limited chances to equal or better the highest winning margin this term in the August home clash with Harrogate (3-0).

Agyei and sub Lachlan Brook went close, but any sort of win would have done for boss Lee Bell after the struggles of recent months.

Elliott Nevitt in the thick of the action (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

Bell said: "It was important to win the game after the set back we got so late on at Crawley. When they went down to 10 men I thought it would be hard as we'd be expected to pass the ball around.

"But the boys played with loads of energy, got the two goals and possibly could have had another one. The second half was all about game management as Hartlepool made some adjustments.

"We've got to carry on this momentum against Harrogate on Saturday. We won't get too high as there is plenty of work to be done.

"Callum was good and he was arriving in the right areas and Ryan is an excellent player. He showed good composure to back his technique to finish like that."

Hartlepool boss Keith Curle said: "The game changed in the 13th minute with the sending off. At half-time I told them to make sure they came off with their football dignity intact and not go under.

"Jamie Sterry is not an irresponsible lad and he made an honest attempt to win the ball, but you have to take it on the referee's decision-making process.

"I will analyse it and if I feel there is any reason to appeal I will ask the club to lodge one. From one angle it doesn't look like there is any contact, but from another angle I've seen the interpretation would be different."

Pools boss Keith Curle was left to rue penalty game-changer (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).