Match Report

Hartlepool grabbed a vital win that eases their relegation worries, but for Hereford the future looks bleak as League Two beckons.

For long spells Hereford were on top against a dodgy home defence, but they came off second best in attack as Hartlepool hit them with two scoring bursts at either end of the match.

There was an explosive start with three goals in the space of four early minutes as Pools took the lead, lost it and then quickly regained it.

Joel Porter started it when he gave the home team a ninth-minute lead with an angled shot from wide on the right that took Hereford keeper Jose Veiga by surprise as it sneaked inside the near post.

But two minutes later Hereford were level when Febian Brandy beat the offside trap and slotted in a low shot from12 yards after a pass into the area by Ben Smith.

But Porter grabbed his 21st goal of the season as he regained the lead for Hartlepool on 13 minutes, slotting in a penalty after Keigan Parker was nudged in the back by Richard Rose.

But Hereford, who have struggled to score in recent games, grabbed another equaliser on 28 minutes, Marc Pugh forcing the ball in from close range at the far post after Jennison Myrie-Williams' low cross from the right.

Porter's chip shot from wide on the left eight minutes into the second half hit the Hereford bar as two nervous teams battled for a breakthrough.

Hartlepool looked uncomfortable under pressure as Hereford battled for the lead, but two goals in a minute killed off the visitors late on.

On 78 minutes Sam Collins went up for a corner and he had a simple header as Andy Monkhouse swung the ball over from the right.

Seconds later it was four as Porter got away on the right and swung a high cross to the far post, where Antony Sweeney capped a fine performance with a downward header into the net.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides