DANNY Hylton came off the bench to net a winner which sent Oxford United top of Sky Bet League Two.

The forward scored his sixth goal of the season after a brilliant run and pass from Alex MacDonald 20 minutes from time.

Just as in their 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge a week earlier, Michael Appleton's men were not at their fluent best, and Hartlepool United were the better side for long spells.

But goalkeeper Benji Buchel made a vital save to deny Mikael Mandron, before Hylton clinically pounced on his chance.

With Plymouth Argyle drawing at Dagenham, maximum points at Victoria Park sent United top of the table for the first time since December 2013.

Both United's deadline day loan signings were included in the squad.

Chris Maguire started up front with Patrick Hoban - replacing Ryan Taylor and Hylton in the two changes from midweek - while fellow new boy Jordan Evans was named on the bench.

Maguire had United's first effort on goal, skidding a low shot which took a deflection and was palmed wide by goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

  • Highlights via Oxford United's Youtube channel

That came in the 20th minute, by which time Hartlepool had made the brighter start.

Ronnie Moore's side knocked the ball around well in tricky, blustery conditions and their 4-3-3 system often gave the hosts an extra man in central midfield.

United were not as composed as their opponents in possession, a rarity this season.

Despite gaining the upper hand, Hartlepool did not seriously threaten Buchel's goal until just before the half-hour mark.

A free-kick was only cleared to the edge of the area, where the influential Jake Gray hooked a volley which struck the crossbar and bounced clear.

Stung by the effort, United immediately had their best spell of the half.

MacDonald rippled the side netting with a low shot, while a minute later Liam Sercombe had a shot blocked in the box after a clever flick by Hoban.

But there was little doubt United were the happier side to reach half-time with the game goalless.

Adam Jackson swivelled to shoot a whisker wide, before Buchel parried a firm header from Rhys Oates to ensure the game remained goalless at the interval.

The general flow of the contest stayed the same after the restart and Pools had a glorious opening 11 minutes into the second half.

Mandron escaped Johnny Mullins to run on to a through ball, only to see his shot superbly blocked by Buchel.

It was a big moment in the game and Pools briefly lost their way.

United took full advantage, opening the scoring 20 minutes from time.

MacDonald, who a minute earlier had tested Carson with a powerful free-kick, embarked on a brilliant run down the right.

He looked up and curled an inch-perfect cross which Hylton despatched first-time back across Carson and into the far corner.

It was a superb piece of opportunism from a side which had been second best for spells in the game.

Having defended well, United then gifted Pools a shooting chance when Buchel picked up a back pass.

It presented the hosts with an indirect free-kick 15 yards out, but Mullins sprinted out of the wall to block the shot.

With Pools gambling men forward to get the equaliser, they needed Carson in fine form to keep them in the game.

He made a stunning fingertip save to turn a low shot from Sercombe round the post, while Hylton was also denied in the closing stages.

It kept Pools in the game right up to the final whistle, but a lack of quality in the final third let them down at the death as United stood strong to claim a vital victory.

Hartlepool Utd: Carson, Duckworth, Jackson, Bates, Carroll, Featherstone, Magnay (Walker 60), Gray (Oyenuga 74), Oates (Bingham 74), Mandron, Naismith.

Unused subs: Bartlett, Harrison, Jones, Fenwick.

Oxford Utd: Buchel, Baldock, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald (Rose 90), Sercombe, Lundstram, Roofe, Maguire (Hylton 62), Hoban (O'Dowda 82).

Unused subs: Slocombe, Long, Evans, Ruffels.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 3,622 (354 visitors).