Regan Linney and Lucas Weaver struck at the death as Altrincham strengthened their National League play-off hopes by further denting Hartlepool’s with a 2-1 win at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Mani Dieseruvwe came closest to breaking the deadlock for the home side when his 28th-minute header came back off the post before Luke Waterfall’s follow-up was blocked to ensure it was 0-0 at the break.

Dieseruvwe went close again with 63 minutes gone when, after Gary Madine’s header had been blocked on the line, he forced a fingertip save from keeper Caleb Ansen.

But it was Altrincham who eventually went ahead when Elliot Osborne’s 87th-minute free-kick evaded the home defence and Linney rounded Adam Smith, and substitute Weaver doubled their tally in stoppage time.

Substitute Nicky Featherstone pulled one back for the hosts in the seventh minute of added time, but it proved too little, too late.