Dave Challinor watched from the stands as Hartlepool held on for a point in a 2-2 draw at Notts County.
The former AFC Fylde boss is favourite to replace Craig Hignett and he will have been impressed by Pools' first-half display as they stormed into a two-goal lead.
The visitors made a bright start and were rewarded with the opening goal in the eighth minute when Gavan Holohan's strike took a deflection and beat the goalkeeper.
Pools doubled their lead in fine style after 42 minutes as Nicke Kabamba slid the ball through for Luke James who turned his man before curling the ball past Sam Slocombe.
Wes Thomas halved the deficit shortly afterwards, beating the defender to a ball over the top and toe-poking the ball home.
Peter Kioso saw a shot saved by Slocombe and the Magpies were back on level terms four minutes later when Thomas headed in from close range.
Thomas could have had his hat-trick in the 84th minute but he fired over from Richard Brindley's delivery as Hartlepool held on to make it four games unbeaten for caretaker boss Antony Sweeney.
Report supplied by PA Media
