Hartlepool and Gillingham showed why they are both struggling in League One as they played out a 1-1 draw.

Austin equalises after Jackson opener

Hartlepool and Gillingham showed why they are both struggling at the foot of League One as they played out an uninspiring 1-1 draw. The visitors remain without an away win this season while the home side have chalked up just two wins from their last 12 outings. Simeon Jackson almost gave the Gills a 40th-minute lead, pushing the ball wide of goal in a one-on-one with keeper Scott Flinders. Joe Gamble went close to putting Pools ahead with a low drive which scraped the post, before Antony Sweeney's close-range header was knocked off the line by Kevin Maher. But Mark Stimson's men, on a rare attack, took the lead after 70 minutes when Rene Howe's cross was headed in by Jackson. Nine minutes later, however, Pools levelled. Right-back Neil Austin was allowed to charge ahead unchallenged and he bounced a low shot past goalkeeper Alan Julian for his first of the season.