Lewis McGugan struck the only goal as Nottingham Forest kept alive their hopes of automatic promotion.
Substitute McGugan fired home from 15 yards with six minutes remaining.
James Perch headed wide and Nathan Tyson was denied by Arran Lee-Barrett in the opening half while Hartlepool's Ben Clark shot wide.
Tyson missed two good openings for Forest after the break while Kris Commons struck the crossbar after McGugan had scored.
Forest are one point behind second-placed Doncaster with one game left.
Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, Collins, Clark, Nelson, Humphreys, Sweeney, Liddle, Monkhouse, Foley (Robson 72), Brown, Porter (Mackay 10).
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Boland, Antwi.
Booked: Monkhouse.
Nottm Forest: Smith, Wilson, Lockwood (Davies 69), Chambers, Morgan, Perch (McGugan 69), Tyson, McCleary, Cohen, Clingan, Ormerod (Commons 46).
Subs Not Used: Breckin, Thornhill.
Booked: Chambers, Lockwood, Davies.
Goals: McGugan 84.
Att: 5,206
Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).
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