Dean Cox hit a dramatic late winner to down Hartlepool and keep alive Brighton's slim play-off hopes.

Glenn Murray put the Seagulls in front by heading in a Cox cross.

But Joel Porter levelled things from close range after keeper Michel Kuipers had blocked a goal-bound shot from David Foley.

Midfielder Cox settled the three points with two minutes remaining by pouncing to score from close range after a pass by Murray.

Brighton: Kuipers, Whing, Mayo, Butters (Lynch 81), Elphick, Cox, Westlake (Gatting 82), Thomson, Racon, Murray, Dixon (Robinson 70).
Subs Not Used: Fraser, Martot.

Booked: Elphick.

Goals: Murray 38, Cox 89.

Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, Nelson, Clark, Boland (Robson 66), Liddle, Humphreys, Monkhouse, Sweeney, Brown, Porter, Mackay (Foley 66).
Subs Not Used: McCunnie, Elliott, Collins.

Booked: Monkhouse, Robson.

Goals: Porter 75.

Att: 6,178.

Ref: Ray Lee (Essex).