A Darren Pratley double helped fire the Swans another step closer to the Championship after a performance at Victoria Road full of guts, determination and character.
Having fallen behind to a Gary Liddle opener after just 26 seconds, the Swans hit back in difficult conditions through Pratley and a Jason Scotland penalty.
It took Scotland's tally for the season to 29 as the Swans extended their lead at the top to seven points after second-placed Carlisle were held to a goalless draw at Gillingham.
With Doncaster beating Nottm Forest on Friday night to stay within 10 points in third place, the Swans now need a maximum of three wins from their last six games to be mathematically guaranteed automatic promotion.
Teams
Pools: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Clark, Nelson, Humphreys, Sweeney, Liddle, Robson, Monkhouse, Brown, Porter. Subs: Budtz, Boland, Foley, Antwi, Mackay.
Swansea City: De Vries, Rangel, Austin, Tate, Lawrence, Butler, Britton, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland, Duffy. Subs: Tudur Jones, Bauza, Way, Knight, Williams.
Ref: Lee Probert
Att: 4,484 Away: 411
Swans boss Roberto Martinez started with a 4-4-2 formation as he went in search of another three points in their quest for automatic promotion.
Darryl Duffy kept his place up front alongside 28-goal Jason Scotland after an impressive second-half display in the 2-2 draw at home to Bristol Rovers on Easter Monday.
Duffy spent two months on loan at Victoria Park last season before completing a permanent move to the Liberty Stadium.
With Ferrie Bodde out with a groin strain, Leon Britton and Darren Pratley started in the middle of midfield with Andy Robinson and former Pools winger Tom Butler operating down the flanks.
Roberto also started with the same back four with new signing Ashley Williams starting life on the substitutes bench.
The central defender arrived from Stockport County on loan on Thursday, having made his full Welsh debut the previous day.
Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson handed young striker James Brown his first start in seven weeks as he came in for the injured Richard Barker.
At the back, Michael Nelson was recalled in place of the injured Sam Collins, while Matty Robson also earned a call-up after impressing for the Reserves in midweek.
Match report
Swansea made a nightmare start as they fell behind after just 26 seconds when a neat build up found the visitors wanting as two offside appeals were waved away.
Dennis Lawrence slipped and after Dorus de Vries pulled off a save from Gary Liddle, the midfielder made no mistake with the follow up.
Swansea were left stunned as James Brown flashed a possible second just wide.
With 15 minutes gone, Andy Robinson fired a free-kick into the wall. The midfielder had another effort blocked by Antony Sweeney six minutes later.
Duffy brought an easy save out of Lee-Barrett, before Swansea grabbed an equaliser with 22 minutes gone when a neat build up saw Darren Pratley fire home from inside the area.
It came as a huge relief for a Swansea side who were struggling to find their usual rhythm in difficult conditions at Victoria Park with the wind causing problems.
And the rain started to pour in the final stages of the first-half as Angel Rangel was the first player to be booked for a foul.
But in the first minute of injury-time, Swansea got the break they needed as they stole into a 2-1 lead.
Again it came courtesy of Jason Scotland who grabbed his 29th goal of the season from the penalty spot when he was brought down by Ben Clark.
It looked an extremely harsh decision as referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot and Scotland applied the finish.
Half-time: Pools 1 Swans 2
Neither side made any changes for the start of the second-half as the home side created the first chance when Nelson forced a good save out of de Vries from a far post header.
Hartlepool had switched from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation as they had a penalty decision turned down as the ball hit the hand of Angel Rangel.
The home side had to reshuffle again when the lively Brown limped off to be replaced by Mackay.
Swansea were struggling to keep hold of possession as Hartlepool had won five corners within 12 minutes of the second-half as they utilised the wind at their backs.
Then Pratley conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area for a foul on Porter and picked up a yellow card for his troubles; but Ritchie Humphries' effort took a deflection off Lawrence before Alan Tate cleared the danger with 18 minutes of the second-half gone.
Three minutes later and Swansea made their first change of the afternoon when Owain Tudur Jones replaced Tom Butler who had seen very little of the ball.
Three minutes later and Swansea made their first change of the afternoon when Owain Tudur Jones replaced Tom Butler who had seen very little of the ball.
But as Swansea were struggling to create a chance up front, they hit Pools on the break to go 3-1 up with 16 minutes remaining.
Darren Pratley started the move deep in his own half after picking up a cleared Hartlepool corner. The midfielder linked up with Duffy before Pratley dived in bravely to toe-poke the cross home after a fantastic 60-yard run.
And the 411 Swans fans who made the long trip were still celebrating when Darren Way came on for Leon Britton in the last minute with the three points already in the promotion bag.
