A Nicky Forster brace helped Brighton comeback to earn a draw in a six goal thriller against Hartlepool.

Six goal thriller at Withdean

A Nicky Forster brace helped Brighton comeback to earn a draw in a six goal thriller against Hartlepool. Adam Boyd gave Pools an early lead in the sixth minute with a shot on the turn but Liam Dickinson levelled with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area after 27 minutes. Veteran frontman Forster then put Brighton ahead from close range six minutes before the break but poor defending allowed Andy Monkhouse to make it 2-2 after 43 minutes. It got worse for the Seagulls in first half stoppage time when Richie Jones struck after being set up by substitute Colin Larkin. But Forster took his season's tally to nine three minutes into the second half when he converted Elliott Bennett's cross. Both sides then had chances to take maximum points, with Brighton keeper Graeme Smith saving from Denis Behan before Bennett hit a left foot drive inches wide. Boyd then found himself in a good position late on but mis-hit his shot with only Smith to beat.