Neil Grayson's late strike snatched a draw for Cheltenham against Hartlepool to leave the visitors in a strong position to reach the Division Three play-off final.

After dominating Hartlepool went to sleep in the 89th minute.

Defender Chris Westwood was dispossessed by Martyn Lee who slid a neat ball through for Grayson to drill the ball home.

Eifion Williams had given Hartlepool the lead with a close range header in first-half injury time.

Hartlepool started brightly in an electric atmosphere.

In the third minute a cross-field ball from Graeme Lee released Adam Boyd down the right, and his centre found Gordon Watson.

But the experienced forward looped his header over the crossbar.

The visitors wasted a good chance 10 minutes later with their first real attack.

Mark Yates launched the ball long for Julian Allsop and the giant striker flicked on for Grayson, but he blazed over.

The opening goal arrived with the last move of the first half as Williams netted his fifth goal in six games since joining the club from Torquay.

Ritchie Humphreys played the ball wide for Michael Baron to cross, and the Welshman made no mistake as he headed past Steve Book from close range.

Just after the restart, Cheltenham came agonisingly close to an equaliser when a corner from Lee found Mike Duff who crashed the shot against the crossbar.

Hartlepool: Anthony Williams, Barron, Lee, Westwood, Robinson, Boyd, Clarke, Humphreys, Smith, Eifion Williams, Watson. Subs: Hollund, Stephenson, Arnison, Henderson, Simms.

Cheltenham: Book, Griffin, Duff, Walker, Victory, Devaney, Finnigan, Yates, Lee, Grayson, Alsop. Subs: Brough, Muggleton, Naylor, Williams, Tyson.

Referee: M Dean (The Wirral).