Anthony Limbrick’s Hartlepool United made it three home wins in a row, beating play-off hopefuls Gateshead, managed by former Poolie Carl Magnay.

Pools took the lead midway through the first half after Luke Charman was quickest to react to the rebound from Reyes Cleary’s free kick.

The home side went into the break two goals to the good, after Cleary found space in the box and passed home his fourth goal in six games.

The Heed responded early in the second half through Jovan Malcom’s direct free kick, but Pools regained some breathing space after Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scored following Cleary’s mazy run.

Jamie Bramwell got one back for the visitors just before added time, but it was too little, too late as Pools held out for all three points.

Limbrick made two changes from Pools’ Good Friday defeat to Oldham, with Louis Stephenson returning from suspension in place of the injured Tom Parkes, and Nicky Featherstone replacing Gary Madine.

Gateshead had the earliest chance when Joe Grayson’s left footed strike flew wide of Adam Smith’s right-hand post.

Both ‘keepers were on the receiving end of some late challenges, as tempers flared in the opening stages.

Pools took the lead after 25 minutes when Cleary’s free kick was palmed into the air by Tiernan Brooks, and Charman was quick to the scene to nod the rebound home from close range.

Cleary was causing problems again for the Heed defence, this time he beat his man, and his low deflected shot was cleared off the line by Grayson.

Gateshead went close to equalising when Ryan Bartley had a go from distance, shortly before Pools were forced into a first-half sub as Jack Hunter replaced Billy Sass-Davies, who could no longer continue.

Just before half-time, Pools doubled their lead. Cleary – who was looking dangerous all half – picked the ball up in the box following Featherstone’s cross and coolly slotted the ball between Brooks’ legs.

Gateshead pulled one back early in the second half, as Malcom’s free kick flew over the wall and beat Smith at his near post.

The Reyes Cleary show continued, and he was giving Luke Hannant nightmares on the left wing. The loanee cut inside and powered a shot at Brooks, with the rebound bouncing awkwardly off Joe Grey and into the ‘keeper’s hands.

Carl Magnay’s Gateshead were applying a lot of pressure, but Pools were dealing with it resolutely.

They relieved some nerves when Cleary danced infield – leaving numerous players in his wake – and hammered a shot straight at Brooks, Dieseruvwe was on hand to compose himself, nick it past the keeper and roll into an empty net for his sixteenth of the campaign.

Heed substitute Bramwell let fly from distance, but it didn’t trouble Smith. Minutes later, the same man gave the visitors hope as he guided his free header from a set piece into the net.

There was a nervous atmosphere around the Prestige Group Stadium as we entered seven minutes of added time, but Pools managed to hold on to secure a victory over their North East rivals.

Pools: Smith, Ferguson, Sass-Davies (Hunter 38’), Stephenson, Charman, Miley, Featherstone, Sheron, Cleary (Darcy 82’), Grey (Campbell 73’), Dieseruvwe (Madine 86’)

Subs (unused): Ombang, Folarin, Foreman