Darren Sarll began his reign at The Prestige Group Stadium with a point against Southend United, having played the majority of the second half with 10 men.

Pools were dealt a blow in training as Dan Dodds suffered a minor hamstring train – Louis Stephenson replaced him in the starting 11 while Kieron Freeman made his debut from the bench.

Another blow was to be had in the 15th minute as Luke Charman went down injured, being replaced by Anthony Mancini.

The first half was full of half-chances, most notably with Adam Campbell testing Colin Andeng Ndi from a cross while Mancini curled a strike over.

On the stroke of half-time, Pools thought they broke the deadlock when Campbell sent a free-kick from the edge of the box crashing off the inside of the post. It was all square however at the break.

Pools skipper Luke Waterfall had received a yellow card for dissent late in the first half, and he was sent his marching orders four minutes after the restart for pulling back a Southend attacker on the halfway line.

Chances flowed end-to-end in the second period. Joe Grey and David Ferguson created opportunities for the hosts, while Harry Cardwell’s strike from distance was denied by a fingertip save from Joel Dixon.

All three points nearly headed back to Roots Hall at the death when Jack Wood took the ball around Dixon. With two Southend attackers lurking, Pools managed to survive and clear their lines.

The stalemate sees Hartlepool take four points from their opening two games, with a trip to Tamworth next on the agenda on Tuesday night.

Pools: Dixon, Stephenson, Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Hunter, Sheron, Campbell (Sass-Davies 84′), Charman (Mancini 15’, Freeman 84′), Grey, Dieseruvwe (Onariase 90+47′)

Subs (not used): Smith, Featherstone, Steel

Red card: Waterfall (49′)