Leaders York secured their fourth successive win in the Vanarama National League with a thrilling 5-3 success over Hartlepool.

The Minstermen took control at the LNER Community Stadium with an 18th-minute strike from Ollie Pearce and doubled their lead from an Alex Hunt free-kick two minutes before the break.

David Ferguson turned in from close range to pull one back for the visitors on 50 minutes but substitutes Ashley Nathaniel-George and Dipo Akinyemi tightened York’s grip before the three-quarter mark.

Luke Charman’s deflected effort gave Pools – under the care of Lennie Lawrence until the end of the season – a second but Pearce put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time penalty. There was still time for Mani Dieseruvwe to net another for Hartlepool but it was no more than consolation.