HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S players have been praised for showing great character to come back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 National League draw at Sutton United.

Goals from Mark Kitching, his first for the club, and Luke James cancelled out strikes from Roarie Deacon and Gime Toure, with the late collapse denting Sutton's play-off hopes.

Deacon opened the scoring after 27 minutes, applying a fine finish to a Craig Eastmond through-ball. Toure made it two early in the second half with a deflected shot as the hosts made their pressure pay.

But, when Sutton seemed in complete command, mid-table Hartlepool pulled a goal back out of the blue in the 65th minute as Kitching's left-wing cross looped in.

Nine minutes later they were level as James slammed home at the far post after Sutton failed to clear their lines.

Hartlepool assistant Ged McNamee even felt his side could have left with more than a point.

McNamee, after watching Fraser Kerr make his debut after joining from Gateshead, told BBC Tees: "There were a lot of chances in the game and I think over the 90 minutes we had the better ones. We are disappointed not to win it.

"You have to out your chances or you suffer and we did as we went two goals behind.

"But to be fair the lads were buoyant and we continued to push forward, create chances and got the goals late on.

"I was looking for characters, leaders and the players showed that.

"At times we concede and then there's a touch of the school yard mentality, where everyone runs around looking for the ball. We didn't do that today - everyone stuck to their job."

McNamee revealed an injury suffered by Aaron Cunningham was not as serious as first thought. He said: "He just picked up a calf strain which is a good news because we feared it was his ankle, which he has had problems with."

Hartlepool: Loach; Kitching, Kerr, Noble, Cunningham (Molyneux 66), Anderson, Donaldson, Hawkes, Featherstone, Kabamba, James. Subs (not used): Hawkins, Muir, Catterick, Amos.