In a tight contest, Pools were held to a goalless draw against Southend United at the Suit Direct Stadium.
Kevin Phillips made five changes to that side that lost to Barnet two weeks ago, as Pete Jameson, Luke Waterfall, Alex Lacey, Tom Crawford and Brennan Dickenson returned to the starting 11.
Pools were on top in the early stages, with Mani Dieseruvwe coming close twice but Southend keeper Colin Andeng-Ndi saved on both occasions.
It was then the visitors’ turn for a spell of pressure, with Gus Scott-Morriss forcing a brilliant block from Waterfall from a loose ball in the area.
Dieseruvwe and Dickenson responded with some solid link-up play before the latter's well-struck volley was saved comfortably by Andeng-Ndi.
Pools started the second half on the front foot as Dickenson forced Andeng-Ndi into a neat save just minutes in.
Southend captain Nathan Ralph continued to cause problems from left-back though and his cross found Henry Sandat in the area, whose header from close-range blazed over the bar.
Their pressure continued into the closing stages as Harry Cardwell met Jack Bridge’s corner, but again couldn’t direct his header on target. Just minutes later, Cardwell found himself in behind the Pools defence again, but his strong volley was matched by a brilliant save from Jameson.
And with neither side carving out a real goalscoring opportunity, the referee called time on a close-fought battle.
Pools: Jameson, Lacey (Agyemang 66), Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Featherstone, Crawford, Cooper (Mancini 66 (Duffus 80)), Cooke, Dickenson, Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Dixon, Onariase
