Magic Mani Dieseruvwe scored a breathtaking second-half hat-trick to fire Hartlepool United to a 4-3 win over Sutton United.

Trailing 2-0 at the break to the Londoners at the Prestige Group Stadium, Darren Sarll’s side appeared destined for a fifth defeat in a row.

But two goals in three minutes from Luke Charman and Dieseruvwe made it 2-2, with the latter putting Pools ahead 20 minutes from time.

Lewis Simper brought the U’s level on 83 minutes, but within two minutes Dieseruvwe headed in the dramatic winner.

Pools made a disastrous start when they went behind on six minutes.

Brad Young punched out a Sutton cross from the left which allowed the U’s to keep possession in the home box, with Josh Coley crossing from the right for Jayden Harris to tap in from a few yards.

Pools had their first attempt in the 19th minute when Gary Madine was off target from a Dan Dodds cross from the right.

But Pools conceded a second midway through the half.

Eduino Vaz had the freedom of the left flank and his deep cross was converted, unconventionally, by Ashley Nadesan at the far post with the ball appearing to go in off his chest.

Sarll responded immediately with a substitution, sending on Joe Grey for Darren Robinson, making a change in formation with Grey, Adam Campbell and Charman playing behind Madine.

Sadly for Madine, injury brought a premature end to his game with Dieseruvwe receiving a rapturous reception.

Sutton came close to putting the game to bed five minutes before the break when Will Davies was inches wide.

Sarll made a double change for the second half with Anthony Mancini and Nicky Featherstone entering play for Greg Sloggett and Campbell.

And the home team were back in it on 55 minutes when Grey crossed for a stooping Charman to score his first Pools goal.

Having waited over six hours for a goal to celebrate, Poolies were sent into ecstasy with a second goal inside three minutes.

Dieseruvwe battled his way through and applied a calm finish from the edge of the box, under Sutton keeper Steve Arnold.

There were then anxious moments at either end as a David Ferguson free-kick just eluded Luke Waterfall and Charman, while Simper shot wide from outside the box for Sutton.

However, Pools went in front on 71 minutes. Mancini played the ball in with Billy Sass-Davies heading it back across goal, before Dieseruvwe showed great determination to get on the end of it to beat Arnold on the volley.

Just as the faithful were counting down the minutes to a first home win, Sutton equalised with eight minutes to go when Simper found Young’s bottom-right corner with a neat left-foot finish.

But Pools were not to be denied after some lovely skill from Featherstone. The experienced midfielder beat the U’s defender and supplied the perfect cross which Mani D headed in at the far post.

Last-ditch clearances from Sass-Davies and Nathan Asiimwe in stoppage time confirmed all three points for Sarll’s side on home turf.

Pools: Young, Dodds, Waterfall, Sass-Davies, Ferguson, Sloggett (Featherstone 46′), Sheron, Robinson (Grey 27′), Campbell (Mancini 46′), Charman (Asiimwe 87′), Madine (Dieseruvwe 38′)

Subs (not used): Smith, Mathurin