Hartlepool United 2, Leeds United 2

Luciano Becchio continued his improvement with two more goals at Victoria Park but once again Leeds were found wanting against lowly opposition.

Supercharged during their recently-ended FA Cup run, Leeds seem unable to turn on the power for lower-profile games, especially away from home.

Fortunately, table-toppers Norwich lost and Simon Grayson’s men are now just two points behind with two games in hand, but the opportunity to draw level on points with the Canaries was spurned.

Becchio, who ended his goal drought in the 3-1 FA Cup replay defeat against Tottenham, headed Leeds into a 24th-minute lead and, after Adam Boyd equalised in the 71st minute, the Argentinian seemed to have stabbed home a 78th-minute winner.

But Antony Sweeney met a free-kick to head the Bulls level in injury time, leaving Leeds without an away win since their FA Cup victory at Old Trafford on January 3.

They now attempt to end that sequence in the second leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area final at Carlisle tomorrow night, with top scorer Jermaine Beckford doubtful.

Beckford missed the entire second half at Hartlepool with a tightened hamstring and Grayson says the striker will not be risked at Carlisle if he is not fully fit.

“Sometimes you have to take it on the chin but I was disappointed that we conceded those goals,” said Grayson.

“I’ve seen the replay of the incident that led to the free-kick at the end. Leigh Bromby won a header and their guy went down like a bag of spuds. It was a soft free-kick for the referee to give.

“It is frustrating that we didn’t close the gap on Norwich but it is another point towards where we want to be.”

Leeds made three changes from the side beaten by Tottenham, Max Gradel, Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry coming in for Robert Snodgrass, Bradley Johnson and Andrew Hughes, who were all demoted to the bench.

Grayson was looking for an end to his side’s hesitant starts and Becchio duly obliged after earlier having a header tipped on to the bar by keeper Scott Flinders.

Micky Doyle won the ball in midfield and found Beckford, whose chip was headed into the top corner by Becchio for his second goal in as many games.

Hartlepool, with just one win since losing 3-1 to Leeds at Elland Road on Boxing Day, had little to offer in the first half. Boyd did threaten shortly before Becchio’s goal, when he ghosted past defenders Lubo Michalik and Richard Naylor, only to shoot too high.

Nor were Leeds much better in a game of few skills and too many long, high balls but Becchio escaped his marker again in first-half injury time, only for Flinders to tip the Argentinian’s header over the bar.

Beckford was replaced by Snodgrass at the start of the second spell and Hartlepool sent on Irish striker Denis Behan for the injured Colin Larkin.

Snodgrass operated on Leeds’ right flank, Gradel moving forward to partner Becchio, but there was little improvement in the game’s quality.

Hartlepool substitute Ritchie Jones was introduced in place of midfielder Richie Humphreys in the 57th minute and the former Manchester United player livened things up.

Casper Ankergren’s first serious save of the game came on the hour from Boyd’s shot inside the penalty area and Jones was not far wide with another attempt.

The home side were eventually rewarded with a 71st minute equaliser, Boyd’s long-range shot flying into the net.

Leeds-born Andy Monkhouse fired wide when he should have put Hartlepool in front but Becchio then snatched his second goal. Richard Naylor’s shot rebounded to him off a post and his team-mate reacted quickly to score from two yards.

However, Leigh Bromby gave away a free-kick in injury time and Sweeney headed the equaliser.