Ten-man Hartlepool United produce a determined performance as both sides draw 0-0 at the Prestige Group Stadium to keep up their unbeaten Enterprise National League campaign.

After a goalless first half, a similar second half followed, forcing a great defensive display after Max Kouogun was sent off.

Play opened up after a slow opening fifteen minutes via Matt Rush, who was found by Luke Norris, who, with his back towards goal, found the winger whose shot straight down Harvey Cartwright’s front was palmed away.

Hartlepool had an opportunity just after when a long ball was poorly dealt with by Callum Reynolds, whose weak header back to goal was cut out by Danny Johnson, whose half-volleyed attempt travelled high over the bar.

Cameron John had another chance for Pools from a similar area just before the half-hour mark; however, the defender’s driven strike went wayward.

Norris would then force an excellent stop from Cartwright, who got low to deny the striker’s curled effort from range.

Erico Sousa’s weak header inside the box after Femi Illesamni’s cross capped off the first-half’s proceedings, the attempt comfortably stopped by Cartwright.

Sousa had another attempt stopped at the start of the second half, this time from Jermaine Francis, who threw himself in front of the winger’s strike from close range.

Kouogun’s red came close to the hour after he was deemed to have taken down Matt Rush as a last man just outside the box following a long ball.

Cartwright was called into action yet again late on, after Norris once more found himself free inside the box to unleash a low shot that was stopped by the legs of the keeper.

Nathan Sheron’s chipped ball across goal fell for Besart Topallaj whose strike from the left forced an excellent save from Nathan Ashmore.

Pools: Cartwright, Francis (Walker 63’), McNally, Kouogun, John, Sheron, Daly (Charman 63’), Miley (Hunter 83’), Topalloj, Reid, Johnson (Parkes 55’)

Unused subs: Smith, Featherstone, Folarin

Attendance: 3,612