A torrential thunderstorm before kick-off and throughout the opening exchanges meant quality football was virtually impossible in the first half as both teams struggled to pass the ball on a saturated Meadow Lane pitch.
However the first chance of note was taken by the home side after 17 minutes when Alan Sheehan's curling cross was headed home by Francois Zoko.
The Magpies could have scored again after 34 minutes when Andre Boucard played through Lee Hughes but his first time shot was gathered at the second attempt by Hartlepool goalkeeper Scott Flinders.
Pools' only real threat in a disjointed performance came with 58 minutes on the clock as Steve Howard headed a Jonathan Franks cross wide when well placed.
County made the points safe after 86 minutes when a Julian Kelly cross was cushioned by Hughes into the path of Neal Bishop and he fired home to cement a comfortable victory.
