text: Stead curled home with 14 minutes remaining to cap a fine comeback at the Northern Gas and Power Stadium after Louis Lang cancelled out Toto Nsiala's opener.
  Hartlepool flew out of the blocks and took an eighth-minute lead when Nsiala bundled home at the back post after Lewis Alessandra beat his man and sent in a pin-point cross.
  There was plenty more action in an entertaining opening period, Stead and Matthew Bates hitting the woodwork at either end.
  The former struck the post again early in the second half, before Lang capitalised on Pools' defence switching off by slotting a deserved equaliser into an empty net.
  Stead would eventually produce the decisive moment, turning coolly in the area and sending a left-footed strike beyond Trevor Carson.
  Pools pressed for a leveller to preserve an unbeaten league start, but their efforts proved in vain as the Magpies collected a first win of the campaign.
  Report supplied by Press Association.
  Match ends, Hartlepool United 1, Notts County 2.
  Second Half ends, Hartlepool United 1, Notts County 2.
  Nathan Thomas (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Adam Campbell (Notts County).
  Attempt missed. Lewis Hawkins (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
  Substitution, Notts County. Thierry Audel replaces Jon Stead.
  Attempt saved. Lewis Hawkins (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
  Attempt blocked. Nathan Thomas (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  Substitution, Hartlepool United. Josh Laurent replaces Michael Woods.
  Attempt missed. Aristote Nsiala (Hartlepool United) header from the right side of the box misses to the right following a corner.
  Corner,  Hartlepool United. Conceded by Alan Smith.
  Padraig Amond (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Alan Smith (Notts County).
  Attempt blocked. Nathan Thomas (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  Lewis Hawkins (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Alex Rodman (Notts County).
  Goal!  Hartlepool United 1, Notts County 2. Jon Stead (Notts County) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Louis Laing.
  Attempt missed. Michael O'Connor (Notts County) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
  Attempt missed. Matt Tootle (Notts County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
  Substitution, Hartlepool United. Lewis Hawkins replaces Billy Paynter.
  Billy Paynter (Hartlepool United) is shown the yellow card.
  Corner,  Notts County. Conceded by Jake Carroll.
  Attempt missed. Jordan Richards (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
  Billy Paynter (Hartlepool United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  Foul by Richard Duffy (Notts County).
  Goal!  Hartlepool United 1, Notts County 1. Louis Laing (Notts County) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.
  Corner,  Notts County. Conceded by Jordan Richards.
  Attempt blocked. Jon Stead (Notts County) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  Attempt missed. Jon Stead (Notts County) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
  Jon Stead (Notts County) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
  Substitution, Notts County. Alan Smith replaces Stanley Aborah.
  Substitution, Notts County. Vadaine Oliver replaces Jonathan Forte because of an injury.
  Attempt saved. Nathan Thomas (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
  Corner,  Hartlepool United. Conceded by Matt Tootle.
  Attempt missed. Michael Woods (Hartlepool United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
  Foul by Billy Paynter (Hartlepool United).
  Stanley Aborah (Notts County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  Corner,  Notts County. Conceded by Aristote Nsiala.
  Attempt missed. Michael O'Connor (Notts County) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
  Foul by Jake Carroll (Hartlepool United).
target: Jon Stead struck the winner as Notts County came from behind to earn victory at Hartlepool United in League Two.