Hartlepool United earned a point in a goalless draw against title-chasing Rochdale at the Prestige Group Stadium in the Enterprise National League.
Despite near misses for both teams in the first half, the shares were spoiled in Hartlepool as Nicky Featherstone’s side made it back-to-back clean sheets against play-off opposition.
Following the 0-0 draw away to Scunthorpe United last time out, Alex Reid and Tyrese Sinclair replaced Vadaine Oliver and Tom Parkes in the starting lineup for the Easter Monday clash against the Dale.
A first chance of the game fell to the visitors just past the quarter-hour mark when Dan Moss’ back-post header from Tarryn Allarakhia’s delivery rattled the woodwork.
Midway into the first period, Pools threatened – Adam Campbell laid off Sinclair at the edge of the box, whose powerful effort towards the right corner was narrowly tipped away by the fingertips of Oliver Whatmuff.
The hosts maintained their pressure and, on 35 minutes, Reid’s attempt inside the box fizzed inches wide of the bottom-right corner, after latching onto Jay Benn’s cross.
There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the second period, with Miley seeing his strike from distance rise over the bar minutes after the break, while Sinclair’s low shot in the visitors’ box was blocked in the 72nd minute.
In the closing stages, both sides had openings. Max Kouogun was called into action with a solid block to stop Ian Henderson’s close-range attempt on 86 minutes, before a sharp turn then shot from Sinclair deflected into Whatmuff’s hands in injury time.
Pools: Hayes, Benn, John, Kouogun, Campbell (Caton 79’), Sheron (C), Hunter, Miley (Sway 79’), Reid (Oliver 83’), Daly, Sinclair
Unused subs: Smith, Parkes, Ferguson, Walker
