HARTLEPOOL UNITED enjoyed a single goal victory over Wrexham – thanks to Josh Hawkes’ penalty.

The midfielder netted from the spot on 23 minutes after he was bundled over in the area.

His spot kick was weak, blocked by keeper Rob Lainton but the ball managed to creep over the line.

Chances on goal were few and far between, with Pools only having one other shot on target and the visitors three.

Two efforts from the visitors drifted wide in the first-half, but keeper Scott Loach wasn’t troubled.

There was almost a leveller on 64 minutes. Keeper Scott Loach missed a cross and Nicky Featherstone headed Wright’s header off the line.

When the ball was returned to the area, Loach saved at full-stretch to deny Holroyd.

Both sides were having a go in a competitive and entertaining game and Pools defended well to secure a second successive clean sheet.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-2-3-1): Loach; Kioso, Cunningham (Kitching 30), Kerr, Anderson; Noble (James 76), Featherstone; Molyneux, Hawkes (Bale 85), Donaldson; Kabamba. Subs: Holohan, Muir.

WREXHAM (4-2-3-1): Lainton; Kennedy, Pearson, Lawlor, Jennings; Young, Agustien (Spyrou 70); McGlashan (Beavon 61), Wright, Rutherford; Holroyd.

Subs: Dibble, Roberts, Deverdics.