Hartlepool United drew for only the third time this season after a 0-0 stalemate with bottom club Scunthorpe.
There was little in it at the Suit Direct Stadium though Rory Watson was the busier of the two keepers with several good saves for a well-organised Iron.
Pools were the first to show with Luke Molyneux’s shot from outside the box easily collected by Rory Watson in the away goal.
The hosts should have been ahead in the 13th minute when a corner fell nicely to Gary Liddle but the diamond of a defender, without a goal in three years, flashed his shot wide of Watson’s right stick.
The Iron were looking neat enough on the ball and they came close twice on 14 minutes.
First, Alfie Beestin went just wide with a left-foot shot after some nice footwork before trying his luck with his right following a good show of pace, but Ben Killip made a strong save.
After quite a lull in play, Pools produced some neat build two minutes from the break but it ended with Nicky Featherstone hitting his effort straight at the keeper from the edge of the area.
Pools began to apply some heavy pressure approaching and around the hour, with Watson forced into two fine saves, the first from a powerful Tom Crawford attempt before diving to his left to keep out a David Ferguson free-kick which was heading towards his bottom-left corner.
Pools stayed on the front foot though Crawford was high, wide and not so handsome with an attempt 20 minutes from time.
There was little in response from the Iron bar a grass-cutter from sub Harry Bunn which gave Killip no problems.
But they should have scored when a vital Timi Odusina block landed at the feet of Dan Gallimore but the sub skied his shot over the Rink End.
There were screams from the Town End five minutes from time when Mark Cullen appeared to be brought down by Jai Rowe, but referee Robert Lewis was unmoved.
Pools: Killip; Odusina, Liddle, Byrne; Sterry, Featherstone, Crawford, Shelton (Holohan 82), Ferguson; Cullen (Olomola 86), Molyneux (Grey 70).
Subs (not used): Mitchell, Angol, Hendrie, Daly
Scunthorpe: Watson, Millen, Onariase, Taft (Gallimore 46), O'Malley; Pugh, Rowe, Beestin; Hippolyte, Loft (Bunn 64), Jarvis.
Subs (not used): Billson, Green,Scrimshaw, Hackney, Lewis
Booked: Loft 28
Referee: Robert Lewis
Attendance: 4,809 (away 228)