HARTLEPOOL UNITED drew 0-0 at home to Scunthorpe, neither side really looking like breaking the deadlock.

The Iron remain second, but now trail leaders Chesterfield by three points, while Pools, starting life without Jack Baldwin with a clean sheet, were the more lively side and the more threatening.

Keeper Sam Slocombe kept the visitors in the game early on, making a save from Jack Barmby's curling shot.

At the other end, Gary McSheffrey clipped the crossbar with an angled effort.

Andy Monkhouse was next to be denied by Slocombe, the Pools winger’s volley steered at the keeper.

Monkhouse then had a goalbound volley cleared off the line by David Syers after Christian Burgess had a shot blocked.

The Iron’s Sam Winnall broke away on the counter attack, but fired wide of the mark from inside the penalty area.

Home centre-half Sam Collins dived in the way of a goalbound Paul Hayes strike to keep it out.

Pools substitute Marlon Harewood went close in the closing minutes, his rasping drive from 25 yards flying wide of the post.