Will Harris' 82nd-minute goal fired Halifax to a vital victory away to fellow National League play-off hopefuls Hartlepool.

Only two points separated the teams before the clash at Victoria Park and the spoils looked set to be shared until Harris broke the deadlock with his 19th league goal of the season.

Harris' fine strike with eight minutes left dealt a blow to the promotion hopes of ninth-placed Hartlepool, who are now five points off the play-off places after they suffered a second consecutive defeat.

Hartlepool went closest to scoring in the first half when Tyrese Sinclair smashed a free kick against the crossbar and Jay Benn could only lift the rebound over.

The hosts' continued to push for an opener but not long after Benn cleared an effort by Harris off the line, Halifax's in-form forward made the difference with a sweet strike to seal a 1-0 win for the visitors to increase their stranglehold on seventh spot.

Match report supplied by PA Media.