91Èȱ¬

Cody McDonald's first goal for Coventry since September kept his side's play-off hopes alive against Hartlepool.

The striker, recalled from a loan spell at Gillingham, replaced Leon Clarke, who is out with an ankle injury.

McDonald latched onto Carl Baker's through ball to steer a composed finish into the bottom corner from six yards.

Coventry should have doubled their lead when Carl Baker's shot was parried into the path of Gary McSheffrey six yards out, but he failed to control the ball.

Pools, who have now not scored in any of their past four league games, failed to register a shot on target.

They are now six points adrift with just eight matches left.

Coventry's first home win in six games, since the 2-1 victory over Oldham in January, pushes them back to within three points of the play-off places.

Coventry City manager Steven Pressley told 91Èȱ¬ Coventry and Warwickshire:

"We have to take into consideration that Hartlepool have only lost one in the last 10. It was going to be a difficult game because they are fighting for their lives.

"My players' attitude was brilliant. The first victory at home for two months is a monkey off our backs.

"We've shown a real strength. We've stepped up to the mark after losing our top scorer. And I didn't think we gave up many chances in the 90 minutes, which is terrific. We had a real desire about us.

"I've been here now 10 days, and the group and their response has been brilliant. We've got a little bit of momentum and there's a belief in the squad."