THEIR unbeaten streak is over, but the most important thing remains intact: Hartlepool United stay out of the relegation zone.

After four wins and a draw, Southend, promotion-hopefuls themselves, dug out a victory at Victoria Park.

They were pressed all the way by a determined and ever-willing Pools side and boss Phil Brown left his old club accepting they won with some fortune.

He admitted: “It’s very pleasing to win and very nervous at the end – the kitchen sink effect against a team fighting for their lives, looking for survival.’’

Defeats for all the bottom five teams means Pools stay third bottom, a point ahead of Tranmere and while York gained a point at Oxford, Saturday’s trip to Bootham Cresent is a huge one.

Pools will be backed by 2,000 fans and the 5,393 inside Victoria Park yesterday gave them a deserved ovation in defeat.

Boss Ronnie Moore was proud of his charges and said: “We were applauded off at the end which said it all. We were magnificent second-half, given their all and had chances.

“We just got sloppy for the goal we conceded. The support was unreal and I’ve said it all along, it’s been like that since I’ve been here.

“They all want it to much and so do the players. I said to the players to get their heads up and not be disappointed as it happens.

“Sometimes in defeat you have to hold their hands up. Phil Brown is an honest guy I think they got out of jail and they won’t get a tougher game all season.’’

Pools suffered a blow seconds into the game. From the kick-off they knocked the ball forward, striker Jordan Hugill chased with defender Cian Bolger and went down. He was forced off after being unable to see out of one of his eyes and Pools will hope the injury won’t keep him out.

On came Marlon Harewood and he gave his most complete performance for the club.

The striker won headers, chased down the back four, and did his best to link up with Jon Franks.

On half-time he almost gave Pools the lead. A flick towards Franks was collected and returned to his feet, Harewood then created space to shoot and keeper Dan Bentley dived to push it around the post.

The Shimpers’ pressing game forced Pools back and every time they got the ball, the opposition were all over them. Six weeks ago it would have been enough to roll Pools over with consummate ease. Not now, this same squad has fight in it.

At the start of the second-half, Pools pressed. Brad Walker, two goals since his return to the side, pushed a low shot wide amid a scramble.

Then Harewood and Franks worked an opening on the edge of the area, but hesitated, held play up and that allowed the visitors to get back and block.

Pools trailed as a break down the left saw the ball half dealt with in defence. Dan Jones half headed away, and Will Atkinson picked up the ball when it was returned to the area and crisply arrowed across Scott Flinders.

Jones looked like he may have levelled, his shot from close range rattling the underside of the bar, bouncing on the line and out.

Pools switched to 4-4-2 and pitched Scott Harrison up front with Harewood.

Substitute Lewis Hawkins was played in by Franks and denied by keeper Bentley, then in injury time Hawkins’ overhead kick trailed agonisingly wide.

“The sprit was second to none and I feel if we scored in the second-half we would have won,’’ reflected Moore. “They had everyone back defending.

“When we have played like that and lost there’s a different feeling to coming off and losing after playing poorly. The dressing room was flat because they knew how well they had done.

“To be fair to Phil Brown he was kind in what he said – that there are a lot worse teams down there than us.

“We have been on a tremendous run, now can we go and win four on the trot?

“If we perform like that, not many teams will beat us.’’

He added: “We’ve played a team in a chance of promotion. They had a chance after three minutes, but that was about it. We just didn’t get the break.

“The performance will give us belief and they have it already. What we need is a bit of luck which we have had recently.

“Work as hard as we are working and you get the luck. Work as hard as that and York will be in for a hell of a game.

“They have come into a bit of form and we look forward to it.’’