In what was a quiet first half, Pools had most efforts on goal and kicked it around quite fluently.

Joel Porter had the first effort of the game while he volleyed wide from just inside the box while David Foley went close after an impressive run but his low drive deflected round the post.

Andy Monkhouse went close but his shot also grazed the wrong side of the post while at the other end, Falkirk's best chance was headed over the bar nu Neil McCann.

Joel Porter was a lobbed effort saved by the Falkirk keeper but at the other end triallist keeper Derek Soutar was rarely tested in a quiet opening period.

The second half started with a bang when Graham Barrett's shot struck the hands of Soutar and as the Falkirk forward went for the rebound, he was fouled by Michael Nelson and the referee pointed to the spot.

However, Soutar made a terrific save to his right to deny Barrett from the resulting penalty kick.

Ritchie Humphreys came closest to opening the score for Pools but his side-footed effort went the wrong side of the post after some patient build up and minutes later, Pools had a penalty claim of their own after it looked like the ball had struck a hand inside the box.

Antony Sweeney linked up brilliantly with Porter on the edge of the area but when Sweeney got through on goal, the Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik pulled off a good save to his left.

Subs Michael Mackay, Ritchie Jones and Sam Collins all tried their luck but to no avail as the game ended goalless.

Falkirk 0 Pools 0