HARTLEPOOL UTD 0, ALDERSHOT TN 2

ALDERSHOT Town rediscovered some much-needed defensive solidity to earn a first clean sheet in over a month.

Hartlepool failed to muster a single shot on target, labouring with scant guile for 90 minutes, while the Shots sealed victory with two moments of quality at the end of each half at Victoria Park.

“I thought we were a little bit sloppy in the first half,” observed hard taskmaster and Shots assistant manager James Rowe. “But when we got it right it brought the first goal, and our game management in the second half was superb. We knew we had to frustrate Hartlepool, and they didn’t really pose a threat to us.”

In just the second minute, Bernard Mensah’s powerful clearing header sent Shamir Fenelon chasing through on goal, only for his weak shot to roll well wide of goal.

Genuine chances were extremely rare in an opening half characterised by ample endeavor and virtually no end product.

For Hartlepool, Nicky Deverdics headed a near-post corner over the crossbar and, on 40 minutes, Devante Rodney used his strength to barge his way into the penalty area and launch an overhead kick high into the stands as the hosts struggled for cohesion and momentum.

The first half was seeming petering out when, on 44 minutes, Aldershot struck with a lethal counter-attack.

Jim Kellermann was twice involved before midfielder James Rowe clipped a deft cross towards the penalty spot for Mensah to guide his header into the bottom corner.

An Adam McDonnell effort faded just past the post as Aldershot pressed again at the start of the second half. Deverdics headed over the bar at the other end, but the expected Hartlepool resurgence failed to materialise.

The visitors set out to kill off the game. Will Evans’ close-range header, diverting McDonnell’s inswinging free-kick into the net, was ruled out for offside.

Fenelon, again playing in a central striker’s role, saw his attempted chip parried by Scott Loach, while Cheye Alexander lifted a drive over the crossbar.

The decisive second goal eventually came four minutes from the end.

Evans intercepted a through-ball and, in a flash, Jake Gallagher had found Rowe in the centre circle, receiving a return pass which he immediately stabbed into the path of the marauding Kellermann.

Outpacing Scott Harrison as he raced towards the area, Kellermann lashed a 15-yard shot into the roof of the net and, with Gallagher trying to keep pace, virtually dived into the away end to celebrate with the 187 Shots fans enjoying a superb day in the north-east.

Still top scorers in the National League, Gary Waddock’s side must ally that attacking prowess with defensive frugality on a more consistent basis if they are to maintain their position in the top five. On their day, though, they remain one of the best teams in the division.

Hartlepool: Loach, Richardson, Harrison, Donnelly, Adams (Munns 69); Franks, Featherstone, George (Woods 69), Deverdics; Cassidy, Rodney (Oates 60). Subs (not used): Ledger, Newton. Booked: Featherstone.

Aldershot: Ward; Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Reynolds; Kellermann, McDonnell; Robert (Gallagher 71), Rowe, Mensah (Rendell 68); Fenelon (Lyons-Foster 89). Sub (not used): Skinner.

Referee: Matt Donohue.

Attendance: 3,732 (187 away).

• Aldershot’s improved defence will be thoroughly tested this Saturday by Wrexham who went top of the National League after following up the weekend’s 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet with a 1-0 success against bottom side Solihull Moors on Tuesday.