Hartlepool kept up their charge for a Third Division play-off place with a hard earned win at in-form Swansea on Friday night.

A first-half deflected goal claimed by Graeme Lee was enough to secure a fourth successive win.

Not surprisingly, Hartlepool retained the side that whipped Rochdale and Chris Turner's pace was rewarded with a workmanlike performance.

Although creative moves were thin on the ground particularly in the first half, Hartlepool generally had the better of things in midfield while the defence shut out Swansea's lightning fast strike force.

There was little choose between the teams when Hartlepool snatched the lead on 20 minutes with the aid of a wicked deflection.

Paul Smith collected a cleared free kick and unleashed a powerful, angled shot which struck the unsuspecting Lee and wrong-footed Roger Freestone in the Swansea goal.

Lucky or not Lee left no one in any doubt that he was claiming the goal.

Hartlepool threatened to build on their good fortune and Swansea could count themselves lucky not to be further adrift at the interval.

Again a set piece clearance fell to a Hartlepool player and this time Jonathan Bass sent a powerful shot crashing against the underside of the bar in first half stoppage time.

Despite a succession of Swansea corners after the break Hartlepool never looked like relaxing their vice-like grip.

As Hartlepool tightened the noose Swansea became more and more frustrated, relying far too often on set piece moves.

French stiker Mamady Sidibe went close with a looping header before Chris O'Leary finally found the target with a header on 76 minutes.

Even when Swansea made a double substitution and changed their formation there was little change from a Hartlepool defence indebted to the leadership of Micky Barron.

Swansea, finishing strongly, certainly created enough chances to have denied Hartlepool the win.

Full back Stephen Evans directed a header against the bar while substitute Steve Watkin, with only the keeper to beat, sent a header into the grateful arms of Anthony Williams.

Any hopes Swansea had of salvaging a point disappeared four minutes from time when O'Leary, booked in the first half, was red-carded for a second caution, his third dismissal this season.

MATCHFACTS

Sending off: O'Leary (two cautions).

Swansea: Freestone 6, S Evans 6, T Evans 5, Coates 6, Sidibe 5, Smith 6 (Watkin 63, 5), Lacey 6 (Phillips 63, 5), Bound 6, Williams 6, O'Leary 6, BRODIE 7 (Sharp 88). Subs (not used) Jones, Todd.

Hartlepool: Williams 7, Bass 7, Lee 7, BARRON 8, Westwood 6, Smith 7, Widdrington 7, Tinkler 6, Clark 6, Humphreys 7, Watson 7 (Lormor 76). Subs (not used) Hollund, Boyd, Robinson, Sharp).

Ref: P Walton

Att: 4,181

Man of the match: Micky Barron, strong leadership when it was needed.

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