Hartlepool United 0-0 Rochdale: Pools damage Dale's title hopes but fail to score for third game in succession

Having shipped seven at Wealdstone last week, it was perhaps little surprise that defensive organisation was the order of the day for Pools over the Easter weekend, with Nicky Featherstone's side earning back-to-back clean sheets against Scunthorpe United and Dale.

In truth, Monday's clash was more significant for Rochdale, who were looking to keep pace with York City in the race for the National League title, than it was for Pools, who must now come to terms with the prospect of a fourth consecutive season in the fifth tier after an ill-timed run of three games without a win.

Even so, the hosts produced a spirited performance to stifle a Rochdale side who boast one of the division's most potent frontlines, including former Pools forwards Mani Dieseruvwe and Devante Rodney.

While it was not a game packed full of openings, both sides had chances to win it and Dan Moss hit the woodwork for the visitors while Tyrese Sinclair came closest for Pools as Dale lost ground in the race for automatic promotion.

Pools, who made two changes from Good Friday's battling goalless draw with promotion-contenders Scunthorpe, struggled to get to grips with the visitors in the opening exchanges and Jay Benn had his hands full up against the tricky Tarryn Allarakhia down the left flank.

The hosts grew into the game and Adam Campbell, who was lining up on the right of a front three as Pools started the game in the same 3-4-3 formation that served them so well during their surprise win over Dale in December, had the home side's first effort after eight minutes when his long range strike deflected straight at goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff.

Pools had a half chance to hurt Rochdale on the counter-attack in the 12th minute but Matty Daly failed to find Sinclair, who scored 14 goals in 71 games for Jimmy McNulty's side earlier in his career, from a promising position.

Dale, who forfeited their lead at the top of the National League after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Morecambe last time out, came close in the 17th minute when Dan Moss cannoned a header against the upright after goalkeeper Nick Hayes had misjudged Allarakhia's deep cross.

Rochdale were dominating the ball but the home side's shape - in effect, Pools had lined up in the same formation as their visitors - was making life difficult for McNulty's side and the opening exchanges had the feel of a chess game.

Pools were occasionally causing Rochdale's back line problems with some searching forward balls but Alex Reid, a surprise omission from the starting XI against Scunthorpe, fluffed his lines from distance after 22 minutes.

The hosts came close three minutes later when the lively Sinclair forced a superb fingertip save from Manchester City loanee Whatmuff after good work from Campbell.

Pools were beginning to pin Rochdale back and Sinclair almost stole in after half an hour following an excellent forward ball from the influential Jamie Miley, only to be denied by some shrewd defending from the retreating Kyron Gordon.

The home side were searching for an opener and Reid came within a whisker of diverting Benn's cross inside the post in the 35th minute after Campbell had pressed well to regain possession high up the pitch.

At the other end, Benn did brilliantly to divert former Pools man Rodney's effort over the bar following a fluid Dale counter-attack seven minutes before the break after skipper Ethan Ebanks-Landell had won the ball from York loanee Sinclair.

Pools continued to look the more threatening side and former Rochdale man Cameron John came close to getting on the end of Miley's inviting free-kick after 41 minutes.

Dieseruvwe, who scored 43 goals in 89 games during a productive spell at Pools before signing for Dale over the summer, almost caught the home side out but his header was straight at Hayes after Maxim Kouogun had failed to deal with a looping forward ball.

Dale threatened once more before the break when Ebanks-Landell directed a corner over the crossbar but Pools could afford to feel pretty pleased with their first half showing; indeed, the home side had stifled Rochdale effectively and had gone close through the likes of Sinclair and Reid, who headed Sheron's searching ball wide in added time.

Pools started the second period brightly and Miley flashed a speculative effort over the bar three minutes after the restart before the marauding John was denied by some good defending on the near side.

The hosts survived a scare in the 59th minute when Kouogun had his pocket picked by Rodney but the frontman took too long to get his shot off and Pools scrambled back to clear.

Sinclair had the ball in the back of the net after 62 minutes but the winger looked well offside as he latched onto Reid's flick-on and his effort was ruled out after the linesman flagged.

The home side were giving as good as they got and Sinclair almost fashioned an opening after a deft turn on the halfway line before John failed to make the most of a promising position, picking out the gloves of the grateful Whatmuff as the clock ticked down.

Pools boss Featherstone waited until 12 minutes from time before making changes, introducing Charlie Caton and Huddersfield Town loanee Jay Smith-Sway, who was on for his debut, in place of Campbell and the impressive Miley.

Pools fans felt their side should have had a penalty in the 80th minute when Reid and Whatmuff collided in the area; the home faithful thought the referee should have pointed to the penalty spot, but instead the man in the middle awarded Dale a free-kick.

Rochdale substitute Callum Perry endured a heart in mouth moment late on when he lost his footing under pressure from Caton, who couldn't quite capitalise as the Coventry City loanee recovered well.

Dale were beginning to look like they were running out of ideas although veteran Ian Henderson, still going strong at 41, almost broke through on goal after winning possession from the recently introduced Smith-Sway on the edge of the Pools box.

In the end, the game rather fizzled out as Malachi Fagan-Walcott's 96th minute winner for York saw the Minstermen move two points clear of Dale in the race for the title with three matches remaining; Rochdale host the Minstermen on the final day of an enthralling campaign.

Featherstone's side travel to promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood, who have already secured their place in the National League play-offs but were on the wrong end of a thumping defeat at the hands of Solihull Moors, on Saturday.

Having previously been moved to a 5:30pm start, the game is now set to kick-off at 12:30pm.

Pools (3-4-3): Hayes; Hunter, Kouogun, John; Benn, Sheron (c), Miley (sub, Smith-Sway, 79), Daly; Campbell (sub, Caton, 78), Reid (sub, Oliver, 83), Sinclair

Att: 4,203 (760 away)