Hartlepool United and Southend United played out their second goalless draw of the season in a drab stalemate at Roots Hall.
Pools shaded it on attempts on goal while there were two corners apiece but precious little for either keeper to attend to.
Birthday boy Lennie Lawrence made just the one change from the Pools side which drew 0-0 with Barnet the last time out in the league with player-coach Adam Smith coming in between the sticks with Brad Young moving down to the bench.
The match marked a milestone for Nicky Featherstone, who was playing in his 600th professional game, almost exactly 18 years since his first when he came on as a late sub for hometown club Hull City in a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Championship.
There was little to not from what was an eventless first half.
Pools had an early corner which came to nought while the first yellow card went to Nicky Featherstone, who seemed to have voiced an opinion the referee did not like.
It took until the 27th minute for the game’s first shot, when George Moncur had a pop from outside the area which Smith saved easily.
Pools had a huge chance within a minute in bizarre circumstances. Mani Dieseruvwe badly miscued his shot which rebounded off Luke Charman, but Adam Campbell could not convert from close range.
Southend were almost in front in the opening seconds of the second half when Josh Walker threatened to go all the way on a long run but his shot hit the inside of Smith’s right post and rolled to safety.
Pools got forward on 55 minutes only for Charman to hit the side-netting after a driving run and two minutes later, Campbell headed wide from a Sheron cross.
The sky blues continued to probe and after a good spell off possession, Charman was off-target with a low shot from the edge of the area.
Southend made a triple change in the 64th minute with new signing Charley Kendall, Macauley Bonne and Oli Coker coming on for forward duo Walker and Aribim Pepple and midfielder Moncur.
Kendall, signed from Woking, almost made an instant impact as he attempted to convert Bonne’s cross from the right but Sheron made a great and timely block.
Lawrence sent on Anthony Mancini, the star of Pools’ 3-2 win here last season, with 10 minutes to go and the Frenchman almost set up Campbell but the striker was off-target.
Pools: Smith, Sheron, Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Hunter, Featherstone, Charman (Dodds 88), Campbell, Grey (Mancini 80), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Young, Bondswell, Mathurin, Madine
