Pools Youth Team were held to a goalless draw by local rivals Darlington when they made the trip along the A66 on Saturday morning.

Micky Barron's men always looked the team more likely to break the deadlock but they just couldn't find that killer touch in front of goal to finish off their opponents.

A scrappy first half was one of few chances, as Pools were unable to get their passing game going to full effect against the Quakers though they did come close to opening the scoring with a few well-worked set-pieces off the training ground.

After the break, Barron's instructions to get the ball to the wide men more often almost paid off and they looked more dangerous as an attacking force.

However, the hosts dug their heels in and refused to be beaten - Anthony Wakefield's header which crashed off the bar fifteen minutes from time was the closest Pools came.

"I was pleased with the performance really, especially in the second half," Barron told us.

"Darlington played 4-3-3 which was difficult for us to go up against at times but once we got the ball down the flanks in the second half things improved.

"We had a few half chances to score and some decent shots from long range but it was one of those days where we just couldn't get the decisive goal," he added.

Full Time: Darlington 0 Pools 0

Pools: Herbert, Purvis, Sharples, Marron, Dukes, Blackford, Liddle, Richards, D Johnson, Wakefield, Mason.
Subs not used: Mooney, Dodds, Wilson, Marshall, Rowbotham.