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Substitute Aidan Keena’s late strike at Solihull Moors helped Pools climb level on points with the final play-off place with nine matches remaining.

Manager Dave Challinor named an unchanged line-up for the fourth game running as Pools looked to continue their good run of form at Damson Park.

The match was an ugly, unspectacular affair of only a few decent chances. Rob Harker saw Hartlepool’s best two chances of the first half go begging while Gime Toure was getting shots away without testing goalkeeper Ryan Boot.

Ryan Boot of Solihull Moors punches clear from the head of Hartlepool United's Gime Toure during the Vanarama National League match between Solihull Moors and Hartlepool United at Damson Park, Solihull on Tuesday 3rd March 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

At the other end, Pools did have to ride their luck once again as Jake Beesley found himself clean through on goal following a mistake from Timi Odusina but Ben Killip was there to mop up the danger.

In the second half, Beesley hit the post from the edge of the box before Terry Hawkridge somehow missed an effectively open goal on the rebound.

But the decisive moment of the match came just four minutes from time as Nicky Featherstone’s fine ball found Macauley Southam-Hales to pull it back to the lurking Keena who finished clinically in front of the travelling Poolies to send them into delirium.

It confirmed a first away win since the 5-1 victory at Chesterfield back in November and first away clean sheet since the 3-0 win at Aldershot Town back in October.

Ahead of the reverse fixture against Aldershot last month, Challinor set his side the target of winning nine of their remaining 13 National League matches.

What seemed like an overambitious target for a side who were yet to string back to back wins together at the time, is now seeming far more realistic as they’ve already brought that target down to six wins needed from nine.

With just one defeat in nine since New Year’s Day, Pools are one of the National League’s in-form teams at just the right time.

Of their remaining nine games, five are against teams in and around the relegation zone, starting with Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.

They’ve got a great chance, now is the time to deliver and prove how serious this play-off challenge is.

The play-off challenge is on at Hartlepool United as Dave Challinor's side move level on points with the top seven following 1-0 win at Solihull Moors