Stevenage climbed into the play-off places at the expense of Hartlepool United, who have now equalled a record run of 20 games without a win.

Marcus Haber scored the first goal, beating Scott Flinders at the second attempt, after Pools went close through Charlie Wyke and Jordan Richards.

After the break Richards was punished for handball in the penalty area and Lucas Akins dispatched the spot kick.

Pools are 12 points from safety, with Boro four points off top spot.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Hartlepool United

  • 01 Flinders
  • 05 Collins
  • 06 Horwood
  • 18 Baldwin
  • 19 Richards
  • 03 Humphreys
  • 07 Franks (Walton - 69' )
  • 11 Monkhouse (James - 69' )
  • 15 Sweeney
  • 36 Wyke (Poole - 81' )
  • 39 Howard

Substitutes

  • 31 McHugh
  • 26 Johnson
  • 08 Walton
  • 20 Murray
  • 10 Poole
  • 33 James
  • 35 Noble

Stevenage

  • 01 Arnold
  • 02 Gray (Rogers - 82' )
  • 14 Roberts
  • 22 Comminges
  • 29 Ngala
  • 06 Tansey
  • 07 Grant
  • 08 Dunne
  • 11 Akins
  • 15 Freeman (Hills - 58' )
  • 09 Haber (Agyemang - 71' )

Substitutes

  • 16 Day
  • 03 Hills
  • 17 Ball
  • 25 Risser
  • 32 Shroot
  • 20 Rogers
  • 24 Agyemang
Ref: Madley
Att: 3,265

Match Stats

Shots

16 7

On target

8 3

Corners

8 1

Fouls

9 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +7:03 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +5:26

Effort from the edge of the box by Antony Sweeney goes wide of the left-hand upright.

90:00 +4:18

Ritchie Humphreys has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

90:00 +3:50

Corner from right by-line taken by Jordan Richards.

90:00 +3:39

Evan Horwood delivers the ball, Lucas Akins manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +2:26

Luke James challenges Lee Hills unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steve Arnold.

90:00 +0:46

Evan Horwood fouled by Robbie Rogers, the ref awards a free kick. Evan Horwood takes the direct free kick.

89:38

Bondz N'Gala concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke James. Evan Horwood sends in a cross, Header from close range by Steve Howard strikes the post.

88:19

The offside flag is raised against Luke James. Indirect free kick taken by Steve Arnold.

87:50

A cross is delivered by Jordan Richards, Luke James takes a shot. Comfortable save by Steve Arnold.

86:36

Lucas Akins takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.

84:58

Drilled right-footed shot by Patrick Agyemang. Blocked by Jordan Richards.

81:56 Substitution

Substitution (Stevenage) makes a substitution, with Robbie Rogers coming on for David Gray.

81:37

Unfair challenge on James Poole by Patrick Agyemang results in a free kick. Sam Collins takes the free kick.

80:29 Substitution

Substitution Charlie Wyke goes off and James Poole comes on.

78:45

Steve Howard fouled by Mark Roberts, the ref awards a free kick. Evan Horwood produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Steve Arnold.

75:15

Foul by Evan Horwood on David Gray, free kick awarded. Steve Arnold takes the direct free kick.

73:35

The ball is sent over by Luke James, Steve Howard has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the target.

70:14 Substitution

Substitution Patrick Agyemang joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marcus Haber.

67:57

Bondz N'Gala takes the direct free kick.

67:57 Substitution

Substitution Jonathan Franks goes off and Simon Walton comes on.

67:57 Substitution

Substitution Andy Monkhouse goes off and Luke James comes on.

67:57

Anthony Grant fouled by Antony Sweeney, the ref awards a free kick.

67:26

Shot from outside the area by Greg Tansey misses to the left of the goal.

65:44

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Evan Horwood, Marcus Haber makes a clearance.

64:08

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Franks by Anthony Grant. Direct free kick taken by Sam Collins.

63:52

James Dunne is caught offside. Free kick taken by Scott Flinders.

62:03

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Evan Horwood, Header from close in by Jack Baldwin misses to the right of the goal.

60:53

James Dunne concedes a free kick for a foul on Evan Horwood. The ball is sent over by Evan Horwood, Shot by Antony Sweeney. David Gray makes a clearance.

59:48 Goal scored

Goal - Lucas Akins - Hartlepool 0 - 2 Stevenage Lucas Akins scores a placed penalty. Hartlepool 0-2 Stevenage.

59:05

Jordan Richards handles the ball and concedes a .

58:52

Lucas Akins produces a cross.

57:40 Substitution

Substitution Lee Hills comes on in place of Luke Freeman.

54:52

Andy Monkhouse crosses the ball, Greg Tansey makes a clearance.

54:08

Outswinging corner taken by Evan Horwood from the left by-line, Marcus Haber manages to make a clearance.

53:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Greg Tansey on Charlie Wyke. Direct free kick taken by Ritchie Humphreys.

51:13

Unfair challenge on Luke Freeman by Jordan Richards results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Anthony Grant.

50:56

Centre by Evan Horwood, clearance made by Miguel Comminges.

49:24

Ritchie Humphreys concedes a free kick for a foul on Marcus Haber. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from James Dunne, Antony Sweeney gets a block in.

48:53

Steve Howard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Grant. Bondz N'Gala takes the free kick.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +2:01 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

44:28

Steve Howard is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Steve Arnold.

41:29

The ball is swung over by Jordan Richards, comfortable save by Steve Arnold.

40:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Charlie Wyke on Anthony Grant. Steve Arnold restarts play with the free kick.

35:42

Corner taken right-footed by Jordan Richards, Jonathan Franks produces a drilled right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

35:30

Centre by Jordan Richards.

35:20

Evan Horwood sends in a cross, clearance made by Greg Tansey.

32:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Greg Tansey on Ritchie Humphreys. Free kick taken by Sam Collins.

30:48

Luke Freeman has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

26:16

The ball is sent over by Luke Freeman, James Dunne produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

24:40

The ball is crossed by Ritchie Humphreys, Antony Sweeney has a headed effort from close in and clears the bar.

24:25

Corner taken short by Evan Horwood.

24:08

Jonathan Franks has an effort at goal from 18 yards. Blocked by Marcus Haber.

23:48

Evan Horwood decides to take the corner short.

23:27

Jonathan Franks has an effort at goal. Brilliant save by Steve Arnold.

21:48

The referee blows for offside. Steve Arnold restarts play with the free kick.

21:01

Marcus Haber delivers the ball, comfortable save by Scott Flinders.

20:10

Charlie Wyke gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Gray. Bondz N'Gala restarts play with the free kick.

18:22

The assist for the goal came from James Dunne.

18:22 Goal scored

Goal - Marcus Haber - Hartlepool 0 - 1 Stevenage Goal scored by Marcus Haber from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Hartlepool 0-1 Stevenage.

17:24

Corner from right by-line taken by Luke Freeman.

17:11

The ball is crossed by Lucas Akins.

16:52

The ball is swung over by Miguel Comminges, Sam Collins makes a clearance.

14:45

Jonathan Franks produces a cross, Charlie Wyke takes a shot. Save by Steve Arnold.

14:10

Shot from 20 yards by Jordan Richards. Save by Steve Arnold.

13:56

Evan Horwood produces a cross, clearance made by Greg Tansey.

13:13

Marcus Haber challenges Sam Collins unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ritchie Humphreys takes the free kick.

12:31

Foul by Luke Freeman on Ritchie Humphreys, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jack Baldwin.

11:00

Foul by Jack Baldwin on Marcus Haber, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Luke Freeman from right channel, Jack Baldwin manages to make a clearance.

10:38

The referee blows for offside. Steve Arnold restarts play with the free kick.

10:06

Jonathan Franks fouled by Lucas Akins, the ref awards a free kick. Evan Horwood crosses the ball in from the free kick.

7:32

The ball is crossed by David Gray, Jordan Richards makes a clearance.

6:09

Effort on goal by Antony Sweeney from long range goes over the crossbar.

5:15

David Gray delivers the ball, clearance made by Antony Sweeney.

4:11

The ball is sent over by Jonathan Franks, Steve Howard takes a shot. Save made by Steve Arnold.

3:29

Jonathan Franks sends in a cross.

2:43

The ball is swung over by Luke Freeman.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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