Boston United’s run of consecutive away victories was brought to a halt by an impressive Hartlepool United side on Saturday afternoon.
The Pilgrims were up against it at Victoria Park after conceding to Gary Madine inside four minutes, but did level through Jacob Hazel’s 16th goal of the season – 16 minutes later.
Ex-Pilgrim Mani Dieseruvwe restored Pools’ lead shortly afterwards and second half efforts from Reyes Cleary and Jamie Miley sealed the deal for the hosts.
Manager Graham Coughlan had once again opted to name an unchanged XI, but the Pilgrims found themselves behind early on. MADINE reached a deep cross to the back post and despite seeing his initial effort blocked, he lashed home the loose ball beyond the dive of Cameron Gregory.
United responded with Adam Smith being forced to tip Brad Nicholson’s free-kick behind for a corner, but the Pilgrims were level when ex-Darlington striker HAZEL silenced the home crowd by neatly finishing Keaton Ward’s sublime assist.
Anthony Mancini, the day’s outstanding performer, and DIESERUVWE both wasted chances to restore Pools’ lead, but the latter did oblige in the 24th minute after the Pilgrims had failed to clear a cross from Cleary.
Gregory made a big save to deny Dieseruvwe before the break and keep the Pilgrims in the contest and the best chances in the early stages of the second half fell to the visitors.
Hazel hooked an audacious, angled lob narrowly off target courtesy of the hard ground, while Jai Rowe fired too high after meeting substitute Kieran Coates’ cross from the right.
Nicholson made a brilliant block on the line to deny Mancini, but the recycled ball found CLEARY to finish neatly from 18 yards.
Rowe saw a 25-yarder tipped wide by Smith, but Pools killed off the contest completely three minutes from time when Gregory made an unbelievable save to deny Dieseruvwe, only for MILEY to arrow home the hosts’ fourth.
Hartlepool (4-4-2): Adam Smith; Louis Stephenson, Billy Sass-Davies, Tom Parkes, David Ferguson; Nathan Sheron, Anthony Mancini (Nicky Featherstone 68), Jamie Miley, Reyes Cleary (Nathan Charman 74); Gary Madine (Joe Grey 81), Mani Dieseruvwe. Subs (not used): Luke Waterfall, Adam Campbell, Sam Folarin, Harry Conyard (gk).
Boston (3-5-2): Cameron Gregory; Connor Teale, Zak Mills, Brad Nicholson (Adam Marriott 81); Jai Rowe, Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Keaton Ward, Cameron Green (Kieran Coates 61); Jimmy Knowles (Frankie Maguire 71), Jacob Hazel (James Gale 81). Subs (not used): Tony Weston, Olly Green, Jake Lovelace (gk).
Referee: Andrew Miller.
Attendance: 4,242 (263 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
