McAuley said: "It was an excellent second half from the boys and I was delighted with our performance. That was much better from us.
"I'm pleased for Florent. Goalscorers need a goal don't they and hopefully he can go on and score more now. He took his goals really well."
As well as afine individual display from Pongolle, McAuley also welcomed the return to form of midfield duo Danny Murphy and Bruno Cheyrou.
McAuley added: "It was good to see Danny Murphy back and I thought he did really well for an hour before he came off. That was always our intention to play him for the hour.
"Bruno Cheyrou will be delighted to get a 45 minute run-out after his back problems, and hopefully he will have no reaction to that now."