Pools dent neighbours' aspirations of play-offs

Hartlepool United inflicted a major blow to rivals Gateshead's precarious play-off hopes following an enthralling 3-2 win on Easter Monday.

- Robbie Stelling

Meetings between the two sides are never boring-there have now been 20 goals in the last three encounters. Monday's clash was no exception as an impressive Pools blitzed the promotion hopefuls, who are now in real danger of missing out on a spot in the top seven after Southend thumped relegated Ebbsfleet to close the gap to just two points.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead in the first half following a dominant display in the opening period, with Luke Charman ending a run of 15 games without scoring before Reyes Cleary continued his fine form, notching his sixth goal of a blistering loan spell.

The home side, who lost Billy Sass-Davies towards the end of the first half, leaving them with a back three without any recognised centre-halves, were pegged back three minutes after the re-start when Jovan Malcolm's free-kick proved too good for Adam Smith, who got a hand to his effort but was unable to keep it out.

Pools responded well and added a third 18 minutes from time when Mani Dieseruvwe continued his hot streak, scoring his fourth goal in six games after capitalising on an error from Gateshead goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks, who endured a miserable afternoon.

The visitors made things interesting in the 90th minute when substitute Jamie Bramwell headed home his first Gateshead goal after Adam Smith misjudged a free-kick from the far side.