In the Club’s final home game of the Enterprise National League season, Hartlepool United came back from behind to claim all three points against play-off side Southend United in a 4-3 thriller. 

The visitors took a very early lead through Andrew Dallas, before Tyrese Sinclair equalised for the hosts around the half-hour mark.

Alex Reid put Pools in front straight after the break and Nicky Featherstone’s side extended their advantage with Sinclair’s second of the night and a goal for Jamie Miley.

But finishes from the Shrimpers’ Sam Austin and Charley Kendall set up a tense climax to the match; however, Pools held out to end their home campaign with a four-game unbeaten run.

After Featherstone’s side secured a 2-1 victory against Forest Green Rovers last weekend, the Pools boss named an unchanged lineup for the clash against the Shrimpers.

Only 20 seconds into the game, Southend opened the scoring when Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross from the right caused a goalmouth scramble, with Dallas on hand to bundle home.

The Shrimpers continued their pressure, as Leon Parillon fired just wide from inside the Pools box five minutes, before Harry Boyes’ strike flashed just over the bar midway into the half.

But Pools were back level courtesy of Tyrese Sinclair in the 31st minute. Miley made it two assists in as many games after his curling set-piece found the winger, who clinically rifled home through the legs of Owen Mason.

In the second period, Featherstone’s side came out the blocks fast and snatched the lead on 47 minutes. Adam Campbell’s threaded pass left Reid one-on-one, with the striker coolly slotting home past Mason.

Reid almost had his second and Pools’ third ten minutes later, as his dinked attempt from the edge of the box drifted narrowly wide of the left corner.

However, the hosts gave themselves breathing space in the 63rd minute after Sinclair reacted first to Jay Sway’s blocked strike in the box – rounding Mason before firing home for his brace.

On 71 minutes, it was four for Featherstone’s men. Sway chopped inside and laid off to Miley outside the box, whose powerful effort deflected home over Mason.

But Southend pulled one back in the 78th minute when Bridge’s cross came out for Austin to guide home into the bottom-left corner at the back post.

The deficit was then reduced to one goal on 85 minutes, after Harry Cardwell met Sam Austin’s cutback with a neat flick goalward, allowing Kendall to skilfully tap home.

Despite the setback, Pools remained resolute to clinch all three points in Featherstone’s last home game in charge, making it back-to-back wins in the process.

Pools: Hayes, Benn (Parkes 46’), John, Kouogun, McNally (Oliver 79’), Campbell (Sway 58’), Sheron, Hunter, Miley (Walker 79’), Reid (Caton 79’), Sinclair

Unused subs: Ferguson, Folarin

Goalscorers: Sinclair (31’, 63’), Reid (47’), Miley (71’)