Pools and Pompey draw again
Hartlepool and Portsmouth drew 0-0 for the third successive season at Victoria Park after an uninspiring 90 minutes.
Goals were not forthcoming in an end-to-end encounter that saw visiting strikers Patrick Agyemang and Craig Westcarr spurn the best of the few clear-cut chances.
Portsmouth enjoyed the better of a breathless start yet were left to rue their strike force's profligacy as Agyemang and Westcarr each blazed glorious opportunities over.
The hosts improved as the half wore on and created a good opening of their own, Brad Walker seeing his goal-bound effort superbly blocked by a sliding Paul Robinson.
Picking up where they left off, Pools continued to press forward and almost took the lead when Ryan Brobbel's powerful half-volley went just wide.
They were fortunate to remain level soon after, though, as Scott Flinders raced from his line to deny Westcarr from 12 yards.
Pools pressed on the accelerator in the latter stages in search of a winner, yet could not find a way through Portsmouth's resolute, and at times desperate, backline.
Source: PA
