Pools picked up a point from this afternoon's League One opener with Rochdale at Spotland but could easily have taken all three from a game packed with chances.

With both teams sharing possession in the first half, Pools dominated the second and could easily have snatched a winner to take the points.

The teams could have gone in at 3-3 at half time of this afternoon's game as both went desperately close to scoring on a number of occasions.

The game really burst into life from kick off here at Spotland, with Pools causing most of the early problems, spurred on by a vociferous following.

The first big chance of the game fell Pools' way and it arrived within minutes of the start; a cheeky throw-in by debutant Evan Horwood saw the ball hit the back of Andy Monkhouse and fall nicely for Horwood himself to play forward to Sweeney.

Sweeney squared for the arriving James Brown who saw his shot blocked out only as far as Joe Gamble whose powerful strike was well saved by Josh Lillis.

Just minutes later and the Rochdale keeper was in action again; this time some great work by the lively Brown saw him jink his way into the area to square a ball across the face of goal. Andy Monkhouse picked it up to smash goalwards only to see his effort blocked on the ground by Lillis and cleared from danger.

The opening half was played at a great tempo, with both teams enjoying their fair share of the possession and a goal looking possible at either end.

Scott Flinders came to the rescue for Pools when Gary Jones unleashed a fierce drive from just outside the area only to be denied by the strong reactions of the Pools' stopper.

Flinders then pulled out a real top-drawer save to deny Jones again shortly after; a slip by Paul Murray allowed Rochdale forward but Flinders came to the rescue with a brilliant save to deny the bright Jones.

At the other end, Andy Monkhouse fed the ball in for Brown who twisted and turned into space before firing at goal but Lillis held the shot.

There was a scare at the back for Pools when Peter Hartley headed a ball back which Sam Collins watched back to the keeper - Flinders' clearance though hit the back of Chris O'Grady and bounced back towards goal. Fortunately Collins reacted quickest to get back and clear the danger.

There were more chances for Pools before the break in what was an entertaining forty-five as Armann Bjornsson let rip with a rocket shot which was held by Lillis and James Brown sending a real thunder strike in from the left which was deflected narrowly wide of target as the teams went in goalless.

Chris Turner introduced Adam Boyd to the action at half time and the change almost paid instant dividends as Monkhouse released the striker down the left wing, allowing Boyd to run to the touchline and whip a great ball into the area. Antony Sweeney rose highest in the middle but his headed effort was just too high and the ball landed on the roof of the net.

Sweeney went even closer just minutes later when he sent a great strike from thirty yards towards goal but his strike was touched onto the bar with a save which equalled the quality of his strike.

After a slightly flat ten minutes, Pools injected the life back into the game with two great chances on goal - both for sub Adam Boyd.

Monkhouse burst forward to lay it on for Boyd who sent a great strike goalwards only to be denied by the keeper. The ball was fed back to Boyd who sent it back in the right direction, this time denied by Marcus Holness who blocked it out for a corner kick.

Rochdale introduced new signing Anthony Elding to the action on 67 minutes in an attempt to bring an end to the increasing dominance of Pools, who were edging closer to opening the scoring.

A Joe Gamble corner kick from the left came desperately close to rewarding Pools for their efforts; the ball went high into the box where Sam Collins rose high to head at goal but his effort scraped over the crossbar.

Pools lost Neil Austin with around ten minutes to go as the right back hobbled off after a nasty challenge from Joe Widdowson - Steve Haslam replaced.

Sam Collins went close again to adding to his pre season tally as he headed another effort at goal, this time he nodded down but the big defender saw his effort cleared desperately off the line.

Turner's men continued to press forward to the end and, the fact that Rochdale stopper Josh Lillis was named Man of the Match this afternoon says everything about Pools' pressure and chances on goal.

Although Pools did not pick up the three points this afternoon, they put in the battling performance asked for by Turner and deserved more from this game.

Att: 3706 (551 Pools)

Pools: Flinders, Austin (Haslam 81), Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Sweeney, Murray, Gamble, Monkhouse, Brown (McSweeney 73), Bjornsson (Boyd 46)
Subs Not Used: Rafferty, Fredriksen, Mackay, Larkin

Rochdale: Lillis, Wiseman, Widdowson, Holness, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Jones, Akpro (Elding 67), Thompson (Andre 84), O'Grady, Dawson
Subs Not Used: Edwards, Flynn, Done, Redshaw, Goodall