Hartlepool caused a few scares, but City were dominating and Gary Alexander could have done better with a header.
In the second half City abandoned their attacking shape and let the visitors come into things.
Hartlepool hit the woodwork after 15 minutes when Watson turned Smith's left-wing cross onto the bar with Musselwhite at his feet.
Theo Whitmore was brought on as sub leaving Gary Alexander playing as a lone forward, and he rarely got a sniff of the ball.
Whitmore had our only real chance minutes from time, and it was all his own doing. He dribbled right the way through the heart of the United team, but ended his run by shooting wide in what would have been one of the best individual City goals in years.
Seconds later, indecisiveness at the back allowed Boyd to come in and turn the ball past Musselwhite from the edge of the area.
Starting line-up (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Edwards, Greaves, Wicks, Van Blerk; Williams, Johnsson, Sneekes, Beresford; Alexander, Roberts (Whitmore).
Un-used subs: Glennon, Morley, Philpott, Dudfield.