Chris Popov scored the only goal of the game as Hartlepool won for just the second time this season – 1-0 at home to Woking.

Pools controlled the first half, with Jack Hunter, Popov and Will Harris all coming close to an opener.

Popov was causing plenty of problems for the Woking defence and he forced two smart saves from goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

The forward was not to be denied and broke the deadlock after 57 minutes, tapping home from six yards after some neat build-up play from the home side.

Woking thought they had equalised in the 78th minute but home defender Neo Eccleston made a superb goal-line clearance to deny new signing John Marquis, while substitute keeper Nathan Fisher preserved the points with a late save from the same player.

Match report supplied by PA Media.