Pools pegged back by battling Seagulls

Hartlepool had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw at struggling Brighton after twice being ahead.

Two goals in the space of eight minutes either side of the interval from veteran striker Nicky Forster rescued a point for the Seagulls, who have won only one of their last nine games.

Adam Boyd gave Pools an early lead with a shot on the turn but Liam Dickinson levelled from the edge of the box in the 27th minute.

Forster then put Brighton ahead from six yards but poor defending allowed Andy Monkhouse to make it 2-2 and then Ritchie Jones struck for Pools in first-half stoppage-time after being set up by substitute Colin Larkin.

Forster took his tally for the season to nine two minutes after the break with a close-range finish following a cross by Elliott Bennett.

Both sides had chances to take maximum points, and Brighton goalkeeper Graeme Smith saved from Denis Behan before Brighton winger Bennett hit a left-foot drive inches wide.

Boyd found himself in a good position late on but mis-hit his shot with only Scot Smith to beat.