Nicky Featherstone 'really proud' of Hartlepool United after Pools hold title-chasing Rochdale to goalless draw

Having shipped seven goals during last Tuesday's humiliating defeat to Wealdstone, it was perhaps little surprise that defensive structure and solidity took precedence over the Easter weekend.

While Pools have now kept back-to-back clean sheets after keeping out promotion-contenders Scunthorpe United on Good Friday before limiting title hopefuls Dale to a handful of chances on Easter Monday, questions will once again be asked about a lack of cutting edge and clinicality.

Of course, things could have been much different had Alex Reid's effort not hit the woodwork in added time against the Iron or Tyrese Sinclair not been denied by a fine fingertip save from teenage Dale goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff, but the fact is that Pools have now failed to score in three successive matches; indeed, Featherstone's side have drawn a blank in 14 of their 45 games this term.

Inevitably, there will be plenty of Pools fans wondering what might have been had their side been able to keep hold of the prolific Mani Dieseruvwe, who was back at Victoria Park for the first time since his departure to Rochdale, over the summer.

The experienced frontman bagged 43 goals in 89 games during a prolific spell in the North East and found the net 24 times in 37 outings for his new side but even Dieseruvwe would have found it difficult this season in a Pools team who have lacked quality in the final third throughout another underwhelming campaign.

Yet for all Pools supporters know all about what Dieseruvwe can do, the 31-year-old struggled to make any sort of impact on his return as the home side kept Dale's normally potent front line quiet.

Indeed, it was hard to think of Nick Hayes having a save to make, although the marauding Dan Moss cannonned a header against the upright after the Pools goalkeeper misjudged Tarryn Allarakhia's deep cross midway through the first half.

Although Dale dominated the ball, a Pools team who lined up in the same 3-4-3 formation that served them so well when Featherstone's side pulled off a surprise win in the reverse fixture back in October stifled the visitors and limited them to a handful of half-chances.

While Pools themselves weren't exactly throwing the kitchen sink at the Greater Manchester outfit, the likes of Sinclair and Reid came close for the hosts and, on balance, Featherstone's side were good value for at least a point.

One of the big questions Pools must seek to answer is how they can take four points from a Dale team who have won 31 of their 43 league games this term but be on the wrong end of so many poor results against the so-called lesser sides.

Whatever the case, Pools must now prepare for a fourth consecutive season in the fifth tier - something which will be difficult to accept for fans who have spent most of their lives watching their side in the Football League - after Southend United extended their advantage to an almost unassailable nine points in the race for the play-offs by easing past Sutton United.

While it won't provide Pools fans with much comfort, Featherstone's side could well have had a decisive say in the title race after Dale slipped to two points behind York City, who scored a 96th minute winner to beat Altrincham; Dale entertain York on the final day of another enthralling season later this month.

Of course, a club the size of Hartlepool United should be aspiring to much more than what is now almost certain to be another mid-table finish; in some ways, being a footnote in a title race involving two teams set to amass well over 100 points serves as a further reminder of how much work Pools have to do.

"I'm really proud of the lads, I thought it was a good performance against a top, top team," Featherstone told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

"Rochdale are on 99 points, that tells you exactly where they are; they're challenging at the top end for a title, so to go toe to toe with them and take four points off them over the season is very rewarding from our point of view.

"The desire that's involved in getting results, we've shown that over the last two games; it's not been an easy week after the Wealdstone game, but two clean sheets against two play-off teams, one that might go on and win the league, is quite pleasing.

"I didn't think that, on the day, there was too much between us. They're obviously miles ahead of us in terms of the league and where we want to be, but on the day I don't think there was much in it.

"We created a few half decent chances in the first half and we had a few moments but we probably lacked that little bit of quality in the final third. I don't think there was anything between the two teams on the day.

"I'm really proud of the group of players, to respond the way they have in the last two games has been brilliant and it's testament to their character.

"I've questioned it at times, I've questioned their mentality, I've questioned their character, but they've proved that they have it, they just need to show it more often."

Your next Hartlepool United read: Player ratings as Pools dent Dale's title hopes but fail to score for third time