Hartlepool United secured their third successive victory with late drama against bottom club Ebbsfleet United at the Prestige Group Stadium, thanks to a Sam Folarin header.
Reyes Cleary scored his third goal in three for Pools just before the half-hour mark, as his curling effort found the far corner.
Ebbsfleet equalised early in the second half thanks to Maxx Manktelow, but Emmanuel Dieseruvwe’s header got Pools back in front just minutes later.
Aaron Cosgrave had Ebbsfleet level once again when he rounded Adam Smith and rolled it into an empty net.
Substitute Folarin won the game in injury time with his first goal for Pools, as his close-range header beat Mark Cousins.
Anthony Limbrick named an unchanged side from Pools’ away win at Halifax last weekend.
The first big chance of the game fell to the hosts as Dieseruvwe set Joe Grey through on goal, but his shot was denied by Cousins.
The visitors had an excellent chance to go in front a minute later as some quick football allowed George Moncur to find some space on the edge of the box, his strike looked to take a slight deflection on its way to hitting Adam Smith’s left-hand post.
Cleary almost got Pools in front when his low effort was saved by the feet of Cousins.
The loanee made no mistake just six minutes later, when his trickery fooled two Ebbsfleet defenders and he whipped a beautiful shot beyond Cousins in the 29th minute.
Moncur had another effort go close when his looping free kick was just too high over Smith’s crossbar, as Ebbsfleet went into the break behind.
The away side came flying out the blocks and found themselves level in minute 49. A corner was deflected into the path of defender Manktelow, who blasted a shot past Smith.
Pools didn’t waste any time getting back in the driving seat. Gary Madine’s initial cross wasn’t met by anyone in blue and white, but the ball was recycled and Dieseruvwe got on the end of Nathan Sheron’s cross to force it into the far corner in the 51st minute, his fifteenth goal of the season.
Moncur had yet another chance, but he scuffed his shot despite having the freedom of the penalty area, just seconds after Cosgrave’s low strike was blocked by Billy Sass-Davies.
Ebbsfleet pressure paid off in the 72nd minute, a simple move played right through the spine of Pools, ending with Cosgrave through on goal. The striker calmly rounded an onrushing Smith to slot into the empty net.
Folarin had a golden chance to win it for Pools, but Cousins got down to make a crucial save with just two minutes of normal time to play.
In the fourth minute of seven added on, Folarin won it for Pools. Clearly’s cross ricocheted off two Ebbsfleet defenders and fell perfectly to the second-half substitute just four yards out, he made no mistake directing a header into the corner.
Dieseruvwe came close to extending the lead, as his first time effort had to be denied by an excellent Cousins save. It mattered little as Pools held on for all three points.
Pools: Smith, Stephenson (Charman 77’), Parkes (Waterfall 68’), Sass-Davies, Ferguson, Cleary, Miley, Sheron (Campbell 82’), Grey (Featherstone 63’), Dieseruvwe, Madine (Folarin 77’)
Subs (not used): Ombang, Hunter
