Hartlepool United shared the spoils with Scunthorpe United in a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Attis Arena on Good Friday in the Enterprise National League.
Following a heavy defeat away to Wealdstone last time out, Nicky Featherstone made three changes for the clash in North Lincolnshire – Vadaine Oliver, Adam Campbell and Tom Parkes, returning from injury, replaced Alex Reid, Tyrese Sinclair and Charlie Caton.
Huddersfield Town loanee Jay Sway also made a first squad appearance for Pools against the Iron, who sit in the play-off positions.
After a quiet opening to the game, a first opportunity fell the hosts’ way midway into the half, as Callum Roberts saw a curling effort from the edge of the box loop over the bar.
Later in the first period, Scunthorpe threatened through Danny Whitehall, whose free-kick curled narrowly wide on 35 minutes, before Hayes produced a great save to deny the striker’s point-blank header minutes later.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, though, at the hour mark, Tom Parkes was called into action with a brilliant last-ditch block – stopping Declan Howe’s powerful shot inside the box.
Pools continued to defend valiantly, soaking up pressure as the Iron probed for an opener, but responded with a chance of their own just before injury time.
After combining with Sinclair down the left-hand side, Cam John found Reid inside the box, whose attempt was blocked. From the resulting corner, Sinclair’s overhead kick drifted wide.
Two minutes into injury time, Pools broke on the counter-attack through Sinclair down the left, leaving a three vs one in the visitors’ favour, but the winger’s low cross towards Reid was intercepted.
Scunthorpe charged up the other end a minute later, with Jack Hunter’s sliding challenge stopping Roberts’ strike.
But – in the dying moments of the match – Pools had a golden opportunity to snatch the three points.
Matty Daly found himself a yard in the Iron penalty area before cutting back to Reid inside the six-yard box, whose effort rattled the crossbar. On the follow-up, Daly’s shot flew over the bar.
Pools: Hayes, Benn, John, Parkes (Walker 86’), Kouogun, Campbell (Caton 68’), Sheron, Hunter, Miley (Reid 68’), Oliver (Sinclair 68’), Daly
Unused subs: Smith, Folarin, Sway
