Hartlepool gave their National League play-off hopes a boost with a 1-0 victory over Eastleigh at The Prestige Group Stadium.

Pools were on the front foot throughout and on-loan forward Tyrese Sinclair could have put them ahead after 21 minutes but for a timely intervention from home goalkeeper Nick Townsend.

The deadlock was then broken on the half-hour by Matty Daly, who was on hand to tap home the rebound after Townsend had palmed away a low delivery from Jamie Miley.

The Spitfires fashioned few chances but almost snatched an equaliser 12 minutes from time when substitute Kieron Evans saw his shot from the edge of the box whistle inches wide.

And Hartlepool were denied a second goal as the clock down, with Townsend pulling off another good save to keep out Alex Reid's strike.

Match report supplied by PA Media.