Hartlepool United 0 Northampton Town 0: Match report, Pools end Cobblers 10-match winning run

Pools were worthy of their point after an excellent display against the runaway League Two leaders.

Pools started well and Luke James fired just wide in the sixth minute after great ball from Billy Paynter.

The home side seemed to denied a penalty on 20 minutes when Gray was tripped in box, but the ref, well positioned, said no.

Paynter had the ball in net in the 25th minute following a goalmouth scramble but the whistle had already gone, the ref blowing for a head injury to Adam Jackson.

Mr Haywood had awarded Pools a free-kick but Brad Walker's dead ball was high over bar.

Pools were enjoying a good spell and Nathan Thomas headed over from a Carl Magnay cross from the right.

Thomas threatened on 37 minutes with a great run and cross with sub defender Luke Prosser making a vial clearance into the Rink End.

Prosser was wide with a header from an away corner while Lee Martin was miles off target as the half came to an endx.

Half-time:

Pools 0

Northampton 0

Pools came out for the second half brightly. with James having aleft-foot shot blocked and Carroll shooting over the bar.

There was a good opportunity in the 62nd minute when man of the match Paynter robbed Taylor, allowing Pools to pile forward but they could not take advantage.

It was end to end stuff on 64 minutes there was a chance for Collins at the home end which Carson collected while Paynter was denied at other end from a swift Pools counter-

attack.

Ricky Holmes shot wide for Northampton while Pools had a couple of corners in quick succession but the set-pieces were not good.

The Cobblers grew stronger as the match wore on but Pools defended well and even had a couple of late Paynter headers but neither threatened Adam Smith's net.

FULL-TIME

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 0

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

Pools: Carson, Magnay, Bates, Jackson, Carroll, Featherstone, Walker (Hawkins 89), Gray, Thomas (Oates 90), Paynter, James.

Subs: Bartlett, Richards, Harrison, Hawkins, Laurent, Oates, Fenwick.

Booked: Magnay 67, Walker 86

Northampton Town: Smith, Moloney, Diamond, McDonald (Prosser 28), Buchanan, Holmes, Taylor, Rose, Martin (D'Ath 67), Marquis (Byrom 90), Collins

Subs: Clarke, Cresswell, D'ath, Adams, Hoskins, Prosser

Booked: Moloney 60, Diamond 85

Referee: Matt Haywood (W Yorks)