Chris Zebroski broke the deadlock at Victoria Park to give Newport County a half-time lead against bottom-of-the-table Hartlepool United.
The 28-year-old forward found himself in the centre of the Hartlepool box and dispatched the ball down the centre of the goal to put Newport up 1-0.
Hartlepool were uninspiring in front of goal, with several of their shots being limited to outside the box.
Marlon Harewood had a few chances for the home side, with the best coming inside the box, but he shot just wide of the right post.
Zebroski's goal will heap the pressure on Pools manager Paul Murray, who is in charge of his first home League Two game.
