Hartlepool United earned a 1-0 victory over Eastleigh at the Prestige Group Stadium, making it back-to-back wins and clean sheets in the Enterprise National League.
Matty Daly’s finish at the half-hour mark was all that separated the sides, as Pools secured a first home victory since beating Carlisle United 3-1 at the end of February.
After Nicky Featherstone’s side made a 900 mile-round trip worthwhile with a 1-0 win against Truro City last time out, the Pools boss named an unchanged lineup for the clash against the Spitfires.
The hosts started brightly, with Daly seeing his first-time volley from a well-worked corner blocked, and a dangerous cross parried away in the opening 10 minutes.Â
As the half progressed, Tyrese Sinclair was at the heart of two Pools opportunities – his close-range strike towards the near corner was saved by Nick Townsend, before a powerful effort deflected just over the bar minutes later.Â
But Featherstone’s side were rewarded for their early pressure on 30 minutes. After expertly dancing his way into the Eastleigh box, Jamie Miley’s low cross was cleared by Townsend only to Daly, who fired home on the rebound.
And Pools almost had a second not long after; Jay Benn’s powerful strike from the edge of the box sliced narrowly wide.
Following a quiet opening to the second period, Cam John troubled the Spitfires back line with his teasing delivery at the hour mark, leading to blocked shots in quick succession for Miley and Daly.
Minutes later, Benn’s threaded pass released Miley down the right-hand side, whose inviting cross towards the back post was just cleared by Richard Brindley’s sliding challenge.Â
With ten minutes of normal time to play, the visitors threatened as Kieron Evans cut inside from the right, firing narrowly wide of the top-left corner from the edge of the box.Â
Alex Reid then saw a threatening shot inside the area palmed away by Townsend, before Eastleigh searched for an equaliser with a final chance in injury time – Harvey Saunders’ glancing header rising just over the bar.
