Hartlepool United went down to third straight defeat when York City took the spoils with a 1-0 victory at the Prestige Group Stadium.

The National League’s sharpshooter, Ollie Pearce, was the difference between the teams with his superbly-executed 40th-minute shot the only goal of the game.

Pearce’s 25th of the season aside Pools were more than a match for the Minstermen, who are second in the table, six points behind Barnet with a game in hand.

Pools gave it everything but could not turn pressure into goals.

Anthony Limbrick’s side dropped one place to 12th ahead of two away trips this week, to AFC Fylde on Tuesday night and Eastleigh on Saturday.

The Pools head coach made two changes from the side beaten late in the day at Aldershot last weekend.

Joe Grey returned to the starting XI in place of Adam Campbell, while Nicky Featherstone replaced Jamie Miley in midfield.

York had the better of the early play with Lewis Richardson having the ball in the home net early on after a nice move, but the offside flag came to the rescue of Pools.

The Minstermen threatened again when Jeff King sent in a teasing cross from the right but no-one was there to apply the finishing touch.

Pools went desperately close to taking a 18th-minute lead when Luke Charman hit Harrison Male’s right-hand post with a powerful long-range header.

The hosts suffered a blow midway through the first half when Jack Robinson limped off after falling awkwardly in the centre circle. Ex-Minsterman David Ferguson came on in his place at left-back.

Pools continued to have the better of the chances and it was Charman who threatened again when his fizzing shot was beaten out by Male but Gary Madine could not get to the reboound despite a desperate lunge.

But three minutes later, the promotion chasers were ahead with a brilliant piece of finishing by Pearce.

The Pools goal looked in no great danger until Pearce, with little room to manoeuvre, unleashed a powerful right-foot shot which flew into Adam Smith’s top left corner.

Pools were soon back on the attack and Luke Waterfall saw his header from a free-kick turned around for a corner by Male.

Limbrick made a double change on the hour, bringing on Mani Dieseruvwe and Sam Folarin on for Charman and Madine.

Pools came close to getting on terms in the 64th minute when Dieseruvwe had two bites of the cherry in the away box.

First, he was unable to get off a clean strike but the rebound fell kindly to him, but with the goal gaping he skewed his attempt high and wide.

It was the start of an end-to-end period of play as both teams had openings to score.

After a surge forward by Grey, Folarin played in a good low cross from the right which York did well to scramble clear with Dieseruvwe and Grey both trying to pick up the pieces.

At the Rink End, Pearce fell over when looking in a great position to score and then when the 25-goal striker found himself crowded out, sub John-Lewis put his follow up shot just over the bar.

Pools continued to pile forward, trying to utilise the speed and skill of Reyes Cleary and Folarin on both flanks.

But for all the blood and sweat the hosts poured out they could not find an equaliser.

They came closest in the third minute of added time when the lively Campbell had a shot blocked, leading to a spot of pinball in the City area before the Minstermen hacked the ball clear.

Pools: Smith, Sheron, Waterfall, Parkes, Robinson (Ferguson, 23), Featherstone (Miley 77), Hunter, Charman (Folarin 60), Grey (Campbell 86), Cleary, Madine (Dieseruvwe, 60).

Subs (not used): Foster, Sass-Davies