Hartlepool United FC 1 : 0 Northampton Town - Pools dreaming after Cobblers win

Hartlepool boosted their hopes of a Sky Bet League Two great escape by ending Northampton's five-game winning run with a 1-0 victory.

Marvin Morgan marked his home debut with a goal as Pools, who started the night nine points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, grabbed a crucial three points.

The hosts enjoyed complete control during the opening exchanges, although their possessional dominance did not yield clear-cut opportunities.

They were almost made to pay for a lack of creativity in the 33rd minute when David Mirfin brilliantly blocked Marc Richards' goal-bound effort.

Lawson D'Ath was the next to threaten, nearly opening the scoring immediately after the interval when his effort stung the hands of Scott Flinders.

Pools capitalised to take the lead in the 51st minute through new boy Morgan.

Lee Collins' ill-judged back-pass ricocheted into the path of the striker, who confidently curled beyond Matt Duke with his left foot.

Suddenly brimming with confidence, Ronnie Moore's men twice went close to a second through Jack Compton.

Yet his misses mattered little as, despite some late Cobblers pressure, Pools held on.