Eastleigh are forced to share the points with Hartlepool at the Silverlake stadium on Non League Day.

A first half goal from Joe Grey added to the frustrations following a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, but the Spitfires fought back in the second half.

A Chris Maguire penalty cancelled out Grey’s strike, meaning the points are shared.

Although it was a sunny start at the Silverlake stadium, the action took a while to warm up with the first real chance not coming until the 19th minute, but when it did, Hartlepool took it.

After neat play from the away side down the left, Terrell Agyemang put the ball across the box and Joe Gray was on the end of it to slide it past Joe McDonnell and give Hartlepool the lead.

Eastleigh tried to respond but it was the away side who dominated proceedings as they controlled possession and even went close to doubling their lead.

The Spitfires did manage an attempt at goal in the 24th minute, but Maguire’s free-kick went wide of the left-hand post.

The grey clouds came and the hail started to fall, with the weather matching the Spitfires’ performance as they struggled to create a chance.

The Spitfires eventually had a shot on target in the 42nd minute, but McCallum’s header was comfortable for Pete Jameson in the Hartlepool goal, with this being the final action of a monotonous first half.

Eastleigh managed another shot on target quickly into the second half but again, McCallum’s header was too close to Jameson.

Hartlepool almost doubled their lead shortly after following more tricky play by Agyemang down the left, but his cut back was blazed over the bar by Callum Cooke.

Frustrations around the ground continued to grow after the referee blew for a free-kick as the Spitfires whipped in a corner, with McCallum also being booked for venting his anger.

The boo’s continued after Scott Quigley was brought down in the box, which the crowd thought was a foul, but the referee did not give it.

The Spitfires almost got back on level terms through the league’s top-scorer McCallum, but his close range header was saved smartly by Jameson with 15 minutes remaining.

Eastleigh were then awarded a penalty in the 77th minute after Maguire’s fierce effort was blocked via the hand of a Hartlepool player, with the Scotsman making no mistake from the spot to level the scoring.

The Spitfires started to create a few chances after the penalty, with substitute Solomon Nwabuokei almost having an instant impact, but his shot rolled comfortably to the goalkeeper.

Jameson then made another huge save moments later, somehow stopping Boldewijn’s header from going over the line and keeping it at 1-1.

Francillette looked like he had won it for Eastleigh in added time, but his headed effort came crashing back off the post with the last attempt of the game.

Report by Freddie Dorman

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Francillette, Reeves, Taylor (C, 84′), McCallum, Langston, Hodson, Croll (59′), Maguire, Quigley, Rutherford

Subs: Martin, Barlow, Boldewijn (59′), Nwabuokei (84′), Greenwood

Hartlepool: Jameson, Lacey (59′), Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Featherstone (C), Crawford, Agyemang (84′), Cooke (90′), Grey, Dieseruvwe

Subs: Dixon, Onariase (59′) Stephenson (84′), Cooper (90′), Duffus

Attendance: 2548 (179 away)