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Tom Crawford's first goal in a Hartlepool shirt earned the hosts a point against promotion hopefuls Sutton.

Joe Kizzi's early opener had put the visitors on course for a first win in five to stay in touch with the top three, but Crawford struck five minutes after half-time to level things up.

Pools, who were looking for a fourth League Two win in a row for the first time since 2015, had struggled to break Sutton down after Kizzi's second goal of the season.

The 28-year-old midfielder rose in a crowded area to head in a corner with just 128 seconds on the clock.

Sutton could have had a second moments later when Will Randall's effort was destined for the bottom corner only for it to be blocked at the last moment.

After that, Luke Molyneux struck a low drive against the foot of the left-hand post, which was the best of Hartlepool's first-half chances.

Hartlepool, who moved up to 12th with the draw, were quickest out of the blocks after the restart and Crawford fired in from close range after reacting first to Zaine Francis-Angol's delivery in the 51st minute.

That was how it remained, with further opportunities few and far between at both ends.

Match report supplied by PA Media.