Jamie Reid scored twice and last season's top scorer Dan Kemp also netted as Stevenage beat Blackpool 3-2 to record a first-ever win at Bloomfield Road.
Alex Revell's side had lost two and drawn one of their three previous visits, failing to score on all three occasions.
So Stevenage had that sinking feeling again when Pool new boy George Honeymen punished debutant Jordan Houghton's error after only six minutes.
But Reid levelled after 17 minutes, latching on to Fraser Horsfall's under-hit back pass and scoring from a tight angle.
A series of stoppages extended the opening period to initially six minutes, but nearly 10 had elapsed when Reid converted a controversial penalty awarded against Michael Ihiekwe for handling Carl Piergianni's header.
Stevenage extended their lead when Jordan Roberts seized on Bailey Peacock-Farrell's poor clearance and crossed for Kemp to fire in off the crossbar after 50 minutes.
Striker Niall Ennis reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time but Stevenage held on to claim their landmark away success.
Report supplied by PA Media
Bruce: 'We gave poor goals away'
Alex Revell: 'I'm delighted to win'
