Words John Edwards Pictures Jonathan Moore

Hartlepool United 1 Altrincham 2

Two expertly-crafted and clinically-taken goals in the final few minutes proved decisive as Altrincham extended their unbeaten run to 11 games and sent out a message that they mean business in the chase for play-off places in the Vanarama National League.

It was never easy on the eye and Hartlepool could claim with some justification that they looked the likelier side to break the deadlock as time ticked away, but all that paled into insignificance alongside the only fact that really mattered. Alty were the ones who got the job done.

A typical piece of self-assured finishing from Regan Linney put the Robins ahead in the 87th minute, and when substitute Lucas Weaver fired unerringly beyond the reach of keeper Adam Smith in added time, Alty were home and dry and sure of the points, despite Hartlepool replying with virtually the last touch of the match.

Phil Parkinson's side are up to sixth, and there is every reason for optimism that the upward trajectory will continue, given the ruthless efficiency that got them over the line here.

More than halfway through February, the Robins are unbeaten so far in 2025, though there was a price to pay for this latest success, with Charlie Olson hobbling off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the first half.

Hartlepool will have heaved a sigh of relief at getting a block in and preventing an Alty shot reaching its target in the 10th minute.

Given the Alty player was Regan Linney and he had just cut in from the left and taken aim with his right boot from 20 yards or so, the Pools must have been fearing the worst until a defender's timely intervention deflected the ball behind for a corner.

The Robins again showed a welcome willingness to try their luck from distance after 14 minutes when Justin Amaluzor turned 25 yards out and let fly with a shot that was straight at Adam Smith but still caused the home keeper some discomfort as he grabbed it at the second attempt.

Worryingly, after 20 minutes, Olson appeared to pull up suddenly as he chased back alongside a Hartlepool attacker and held the back of his right thigh.

For the next couple of minutes, the Alty centre-back stretched his right leg in front of him, as if trying to shake off whatever had briefly troubled him.

The last thing Alty needed was another injury, particularly to such an influential player, but their worst fears were confirmed in the 26th minute as Olson went down in the centre circle, signalling that he needed attention and giving way to newcomer Matt Penney after a swift assessment by physio Tommy Uda of what looked like a hamstring problem.

There was an escape for the Robins in the 28th minute as a flick by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe bobbled against the post and a point-blank follow-up effort by Luke Waterfall was well blocked by Caleb Ansen at the expense of a corner.

On the hour-mark, Linney cut in from the left and set his sights - always a good sign for Alty - but, on this occasion, his shot rolled straight into the hands of Smith.

A Hartlepool corner in the 64th minute led to an almighty scramble in the Alty six-yard box, and when a half-clearance was met first time by Dieseruvwe, Ansen tipped it over the bar.

James Jones saved the day for the Robins four minutes later when Dieseruvwe shrugged off a challenge inside the area and unleashed a shot that looked goalbound until the Alty central defender stuck out a leg to divert it away from danger.

When the attendance was announced, the figure of 3,302 included 169 from Alty, a splendid effort for a Tuesday night way up in the North-East.

They could have done with a goal to cheer, and Linney almost obliged with a shot that was charged down by a defender after Tom Crawford pulled the ball back to him from the bye-line on the right.

A great tackle by Lewis Banks denied the dangerous Dieseruvwe in the 80th minute as both side continued to strive for a breakthrough.

In truth, it was Hartlepool who were doing most of the pressing, but Alty were defending resolutely.

More importantly, it was Alty who showed the necessary cutting edge in the 87th minute with a goal that owed so much to Elliot Osborne's awareness and just as much to Linney's lethal finishing.

Awarded a free-kick not far outside his own area, Osborne looked up and not only spotted Linney in space but delivered a pinpoint through ball that caught out Jack Hunter and sent Alty's marksman bearing down on goal.

With one touch, Linney took the ball round the advancing Smith and, with another, he rolled it into an empty net to spark jubilant scenes behind the goal among ecstatic Robins fans.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Alty doubled their lead as substitute Kahrel Reddin cleverly looped the ball over a close marker and cut it back for Weaver to whip a low finish beyond the reach of the diving Smith.

Game over and job done, despite Nicky Featherstone heading home from close range in the seventh minute of time added on, and while it may not have been a classic, the Robins go marching on in their pursuit of another top-seven finish. 

Hartlepool United - Adam Smith, Luke Waterfall, David Ferguson, Louis Stephenson (Charman 77), Jack Hunter, Gregory Sloggett, Jamie Miley (Featherstone 77),  Adam Campbell (Madine 59), Reyes Cleary, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, Sam Folarin (Grey 59). Subs not used - Billy Sass-Davies, Jack Robinson, Owen Foster.

Yellows - Miley, Folarin. Reds - none.

Altrincham - Ansen, Banks, J.Jones, Olson (Penney 26, Cooper 83), Golden, Osborne, Taylor (Griffiths 65), Crawford, Amaluzor (Weaver 76), Linney (Reddin 90), Nuttall. Subs not used - Bickerstaff, Randle.

Yellows - Ansen. Reds - none.

HT - 0-0.

Attendance - 3,302 (169 away).