The in-form visitors also made it 772 minutes without conceding a goal as they weathered a real storm at lowly Mansfield before boosting their promotion push.
The game exploded into life in the 77th minute when Hartlepool substitute Jon Daly won a fortunate penalty after going down under a challenge from Giles Coke.
Daly's well struck spot-kick was superbly saved by the diving Jason White at the foot of the post only for the ball to slip out of his grasp.
Daryl Duffy's follow up was again well blocked by the young keeper, but the ball fell kindly for Andy Monkhouse to convert with a spectacular diving header.
As the game entered injury-time, Mansfield striker Richie Barker - subject of transfer speculation linking him with Pools - headed straight at the keeper.
Then two minutes into stoppage time Simon Brown's clever back-heel went straight to Dimi Konstantopolous as home hopes of an equaliser were dashed.
Earlier in a lacklustre second half dominated by driving rain, Coke's low 20 yard drive went straight to the keeper through a crowded penalty area and then the unmarked Johnny Mullins headed over a Jake Buxton cross inside the six-yard area as Mansfield threatened to upset the form book.
Eighteen minutes from time Hull loan striker Duffy poked narrowly wide for Pools from just eight yards and immediately at the other end Michael Boulding almost converted a Barker cross.
But then came the penalty drama which brought the game to life and broke Mansfield's hearts.