Pools make haul back from Exeter with a point (From The Northern Echo)

Exeter 0 Hartlepool United 0

5:02pm Saturday 14th January 2012 in Hartlepool United Match Reports By Nick Loughlin

HARTLEPOOL United make the trek back from Exeter - their longest haul of the season - with a solid point after a goalless draw in Devon.

After a flat and uninspiring first-half, Pools stepped up a gear after the break in a far more combative game.

Antony Sweeney had their best chance, arriving on 75 minutes. James Brown and Luke James combined to play in the midfielder. He surged into the box, but the angle was tight and advancing goalkeeper Arthur Krysiak blocked.

James was busy throughout as he continued his encouraging start to first-team football and James Brown gave his best performance of the season, with his strong running after an injury-ravaged campaign.

At the other end, Scott Flinders was hardly troubled and had a late header from Troy Archibald-Henville to deal with.

Exeter: Krysiak, Tully, Archibald-Henville, Duffy, Golbourne; Sercombe (Taylor 16), Noble, Dunne; Bauza (Coles 87), Logan (O'Flynn 61), Nardiello. Subs: Pidgley (gk), Bennett.

Pools: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood; Baldwin (Haslam 69), Murray, Liddle, Sweeney, Brown (Hassan 79), James. Subs: Rafferty (gk), Humphreys, Monkhouse.

Attendance: 4,016 (85 away fans)