Hartlepool United 2-0 Notts County (National League) 10.04.21

Notts County were beaten in the early evening game in front of the BT Sport Cameras as a goal at the end of each half provided the difference between the two sides at Victoria Park.

A slow start to the match allowed Notts to find their way into the game and on 17 minutes they created their first opportunity when Barnett’s shot was deflected behind for a corner by a defender.

At the other end, Shelton had a shot blocked on the half hour the best the Pools could muster before Wootton headed over for County a real good opportunity after good work by Griffiths who crossed in after getting to the by-line.

An early change then saw Griffiths replaced by Lewis Knight but moments before half time, the home side went 1-0 up as Holohan swept home from inside the area to give Hartlepool the edge at the break.

Two early chances at each end in the second half came when Slocombe saved from Bennett, palming the ball over for a corner whilst Knowles fired an effort wide of the posts before Liddell went into the book for a cynical foul on Knight.

On 64 Knowles carried the ball forward to unleash a shot just wide before a minute later laying back for Reeves to shoot left footed again off target.

Cal Roberts entered the field on 70 as County continued to look for a leveller and within five minutes of him coming on, he went close, his shot deflected out for a corner after Wootton chested back to him. But it’s been a horrible season for the Geordie Messi who pulled up just three minutes later, Notts forced to carry on the remainder with ten men having used all their subs.

That gave Hartlepool the emphasis they needed to safely see out the match, on top of that, another goal was scored after Bennett fired home following a corner, the home team going top of the league with victory although second placed Sutton a point below, have four games in hand.

For Notts, it’s fifth place and a five-point cushion that sees them safely in the playoff zone, plenty still to play for but it looks like any slim chances of the automatic top spot have now seriously slipped away.

Hartlepool United: Ravas, Sterry, Bennett, Cass, Armstrong (Donaldson), Shelton, Liddle, Holohan, Odusina, Featherstone, Ferguson.

Notts County: Slocombe, Barnett (Roberts 70), Ellis, Rawlinson, Chicksen, Reeves, O’Brien, Griffiths (Knight 37), Boldewijn (Kelly-Evans 70), Knowles, Wootton.

Venue: Victoria Park

*Main image @Official_NCFC Wootton goes close as Notts fail to hit the target.