Boxing Day started with a ban, and finished with a bang for Oldham Athletic.

News of Alex Reid's suspension sparked concerns over whether those off the field troubles might translate onto the pitch, with confirmation coming later that Harrison McGahey had also been removed from his role as vice captain.

Manager Micky Mellon addressed the situation after the game. But as a collective, Latics let their football do the talking to extend their impressive away run with a 3-1 win at Hartlepool United.

As with the win at Solihull on their previous trip, there was a false start as the hosts took the lead through Joe Grey - a goal that will frustrate Mellon because of the manner of it.

Hallam Hope was robbed of possession in midfield and Hartlepool held the ball up well to allow Grey to strike low across Mat Hudson in the fourth minute.

But similarly to Solihull Josh Stones triggered the fightback, scoring the equaliser and setting up the second for his strike partner, and then the third as James Norwood took his tally for the season to 14, with half of them coming in the last six games.

It is a partnership that is in its infancy, but already prolific, and one that Latics are looking to extend.

"His goalscoring and his providing of goals is excellent," said Mellon. "But his all round attitude to play and his enthusiasm to play is terrific, so we're really, really pleased to have him here."

At 20, Stones is the youngest member of the line-up but demonstrates a professionalism that belies his tender years - an attitude that will surely help him to fulfil his potential. Some of the more senior professionals should take note.

Stones is not Oldham's player. He is only borrowed. Yet he is setting the example of what it will take to get out of this league.

He is driven and determined; he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck; he gets fans off their seats; he gets goals, and he creates them.

Latics started the Boxing Day clash brightly but were stunned when the hosts went ahead early.

Hartlepool had not kept a clean sheet in their 15 previous games, though, and Stones made sure that run was extended.

Will Sutton and Hope, who operated diligently in an unfamiliar central midfield role, linked on the right, Hope swept a ball into the box, Norwood flicked it on to Stones', who turned and drove the equaliser past goalkeeper Joel Dixon to restore parity five minutes later.

Hartlepool gifted Latics the second on 17 minutes, but it still required a composed finish from Norwood after Emmanuel Onariase passed the ball straight to Josh Lundstram, who then fed the forward.

Norwood wrapped it up just after the hour, with Stones involved again as he wrestled the ball away from two defenders after Mark Kitching's corner and been flicked on from the near to far post, and drove a low ball into the six yard box for his strike partner to convert.

"I think they enjoy playing with each other," said Mellon of Stones and Norwood.

"We've got some good strikers here. The bottom line is work rate. You go out and you work hard then everything else takes care of itself.

"If you go out there with that attitude and show that you'll give yourself good chance of performing and getting us a result."