Paul Cook's side had dropped just two points in their previous six league games but were forced to work hard for their fourth successive victory by a team who started the day in third place.
Gary Roberts opened the scoring for the hosts on the half-hour mark, before defender Sam Hird wrapped up the three points eight minutes after the restart.
Second-placed Oxford United slipped four points behind the pacesetters despite maintaining the division's only other unbeaten record as they could only draw 2-2 at struggling Cheltenham Town.
Chris Wilder's men twice had to come from behind at the Abbey Business Stadium, as Dave Kitson and Johnny Mullins equalised goals from Byron Harrison and Terry Gornell for the hosts.
Fleetwood Town took advantage of Wimbledon's defeat at the Proact Stadium to move into third thanks to a 2-1 home win over Bury.
The visitors went in ahead at the break after Tom Soares had given them the lead in the 28th minute, but second-half strikes from Antoni Sarcevic and Gareth Evans turned the game on its head to give Fleetwood their fourth win in their last five league matches.
Jon Franks and Andy Monkhouse struck in the first half for Colin Cooper's men, before James Gray ensured that they faced a nervy last half an hour by pulling one back for Accrington.
However, Hartlepool held on for a vital three points that lifts them out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Wycombe and Morecambe maintained their places just below the play-off spots with away victories at Plymouth Argyle and Newport County.
Elsewhere, Rochdale overcame Torquay 1-0 at Spotland, Burton Albion lost 2-1 at home to Portsmouth and Dagenham and Redbridge beat Bristol Rovers 2-0.
