HARTLEPOOL United's promotion credentials passed the sternest of tests as they drew 2-2 with Brighton at Victoria Park.

In the Division's game of the day, fourth-placed Pool entertained second-top Brighton and for the majority of the game were the better of two good sides.

Pool fell behind in the latter stages of the first half when Richard Carpenter caught the Pool rearguard napping when he collected a short corner and rifled home.

But within a minute of the restart Anth Lormor headed Pool level after meeting Paul Stephenson's corner.

Brighton took the lead again when Bobby Zamora netted a controversial penalty, However, Pool were level within seconds as leading scorer Kevin Henderson raced away to net low past keeper Michael Kuipers.

From then on it was all Pool as they made it an unprecedented 18 League games without defeat.