Albion stopped the rot with a point against Hartlepool in a six-goal thriller at Withdean.

The defending from both sides here was a horror show befitting the date, but going forward Albion served up a treat for the Withdean crowd, and were unlucky not to come away with all three points.

Russell Slade called for improvement at both ends last week, and although the Seagulls sharpened up in attack, their defensive misgivings were evident after just six minutes, when Adam Boyd was afforded far too much time in the area to swivel and plant his shot past Graeme Smith.

Going forward Albion looked dangerous, and were unfortunate not to equalise soon after when Elliott Bennett curled in a fantastic corner, but Liam Dickinson could only glance the ball across the face of goal.

Nicky Forster then went on a typically bullish run around the back of Hartlepool full-back Neil Austin before picking out Dickinson, but the striker couldn't get enough power on his shot and former Albion keeper Scott Flinders blocked with a strong hand.

It was coming though, and when Dickinson finally drew Albion level in the 27th minute, it was well deserved.

After another patient build-up Dickinson saw his rasping shot from outside the area charged down, but after getting to the rebound first, the striker shot again, and although not struck as cleanly as the first effort, the ball bounced into the ground and over the desperate claw of Flinders.

It was now all Albion, with Dickinson and Bennett becoming increasingly influential Another enticing corner from the winger found Dickinson, but again the striker's header glanced wide.

And six minutes before half-time the pair combined as Albion edged into the lead. Dickinson turned brilliantly before slipping Bennett in down the right, and although the winger's cross was missed by Arron Davies, Forster was lurking at the far post to fire the Seagulls in front.

But Albion's lead was short-lived. After a mix-up on the edge of the area where Adam El-Abd and Tommy Elphick went for the same clearance, the ball eventually fell to Andy Monkhouse, who kept his composure to draw the visitors level.

There was still more drama to come before the interval. The visitors caught Albion on the break, and when the ball finally reached Richie Jones just inside the area, the Hartlepool midfielder curled an unstoppable shot past Smith.

There was surely some vigourous finger-pointing in both dressing rooms at half-time after some suspect defending at both ends, but crucially Slade's men made the perfect start to the second half.

El-Abd released Bennett with a quick free-kick, and the winger crossed for James Tunnicliffe, who saw his effort blocked on the line. The ball eventually landed with Forster, who made no mistake with a crisp volley from 12 yards to pull Albion level again.

Hartlepool almost responded again when Boyd forced Smith into a good save, the Scotsman diving to his right to block the striker's fierce shot.

While at the other end, Albion did everything but get the ball in the net. Elphick's shot deflected wide after a goalmouth scramble, Dicker curled a shot just over the bar and Bennett then saw his shot dribble just wide after surging from deep.

There was to be no dramatic winner though, and the Seagulls now have a break from league action when they visit Wycombe in the cup, before contemplating nightmare November.

Albion: (4-4-2) Smith; Hoyte, Tunnicliffe, Elphick (Virgo 65), El-Abd; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, A Davies (Cox 65); Forster, Dickinson. Subs not used: Kuipers (GK), Navarro, Hart, Murray, Thornhill.

Hartlepool: (4-4-2) Flinders; Austin, Collins, Liddle, Hartley; McSweeney (Larkin 45), Jones (Sweeney 46), Humphreys, Monkhouse; Behan (Greulich 80), Boyd. Subs not used: Haslam, Fredriksen, Cook, Bjornsson.

Attendance: 5694 (129 Hartlepool).

Referee: Pat Miller.

Yellow Cards: Hartley, Behan (Hartlepool).