Hartlepool United returned to winning ways in the Enterprise National League with a 1-0 victory over Woking at Victoria Park.  

Chris Popov’s first goal for the Club in the 57th minute secured the three points, putting a three-game losing streak in the league to an end. 

Pools made three changes ahead of the clash against the Cards, with Lee Clark handing starts to Neo Eccleston, Chris Popov and Club captain Jack Hunter. New loanee signing Cole Deeming was named on the bench. 

After Will Harris cleared Chinwike Okoli’s header off the line seven minutes in, Pools started to threaten. A Hunter header flashed wide of the bottom-right corner on 12 minutes, before Brooklyn Ilunga just failed to steer his effort on target ten minutes later. 

Around the half-hour mark, Harris latched onto a pinpoint Jack Nolan cross, but couldn’t get enough power on his attempt to beat Will Jaaskelainen. 

Pools continued to probe as the first half ended. Popov’s 39th-minute strike deflected inches wide of the bottom-left corner, then the forward picked out Harris in the box, who headed just wide. 

The hosts threatened straight after the break when Harris released Popov on goal, whose strike towards the near corner was saved. 

Minutes later, Popov pounced on Zico Asare’s slip, but Jaaskelainen advanced quickly to deny the forward’s one-on-one effort. 

Clark’s side had their goal not long after when Ilunga’s cross was guided by Harris into the path of Popov to tap home. 

In the 78th minute, though, Woking looked to have an equaliser when John Marquis chopped inside in the box and fired from close-range, but Eccleston brilliantly cleared the effort off the line.

Substitute Nathan Fisher made a huge save to deny Marquis in injury time as Pools held out for all three points.

Next up for Clark’s side is a trip to face Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough Stadium next Friday. 

HUFC XI: Merrick (Fisher 33’), Hunter ©, McNally, Ilunga, Miley, Harris (Hugill 67’), Eccleston, Sheron, Nolan, Popov (Bondo 68’), Gibson (Deeming 71’).

Unused substitutes: Penman, Benn, Thornton.