Hartlepool United mounted a second-half comeback, before a late equaliser prevented all three points in a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Sutton United in the Enterprise National League
Hartlepool came from behind twice, after an early strike from Lewis Simper was levelled by Luke Charman, before Brandon Njoku restored the hosts’ lead and Oliver Vadaine equalised to make it 2-2.
Jermaine Francis thought he’d grabbed Hartlepool a late winner before former Pools man Edon Puti snatched an equaliser in the dying stages for the hosts.
Nicky Featherstone made five changes from midweek’s 1-3 loss to Gainsborough Trinity, including Cameron John, who was back from ineligibility.
Francis also returned to the side following international duty, along with Oliver, who was restored up front.
Pools attacked aggressively in the opening stages and should have been ahead after 16 minutes, when Francis drove to the byline and whizzed a low-driven ball across goal, but Oliver was unable to connect.
However, just two minutes later, Sutton took the lead, when Jayden Harris raced past the Pools defence and delivered a pinpoint driven cross to Simper, who tapped home.
Adam Campbell almost found the leveller with 37 minutes on the clock, after his low driven shot cannoned off the base of the post following a save from David Aziaya.
A rejuvenated Pools found their well-deserved equaliser just seven minutes into the second half courtesy of Charman, who leapt above all to meet a looping cross from Jay Benn, which he headed home.
Just eight minutes later, Sutton restored their lead when substitute Njoku intercepted a loose pass from Nathan Ferguson, before racing forward and drilling a shot past George Evans with his first touches of the game.
However, Pools responded within six minutes, when a long ball was brought down with a fantastic touch from Oliver, who flicked the ball over the outcoming Aziaya and into the net.
Relentless pressure from Pools was rewarded with just six minutes of normal time left to play, when a short free kick from John fed Matty Daly, who delivered a precise cutback to the feet of Francis, who finished with a brilliant backheel.
In the last breaths of the game, former Pools man Pruti converted from a corner to prevent his old side from taking all three points.
Pools: Evans, Benn, John, Francis, Ferguson (Miley 71′), Campbell (Daly 71′), Charman, Sheron ©, Hunter (Kouogun 90+5′), Topallaj, Oliver (Johnson 78′)
Unused Subs: Smith, Gonzalez, Foreman
Goals: Charman (52’), Vadaine (66’), Francis (84’)
Away Attendance: 144
