BE GRATEFUL for small mercies. That is how Hartlepool United should view the point gained from the goalless draw with Bournemouth.

With Rushden & Diamonds winning on Saturday, the result at Victoria Park may not have been what the Third Division leaders wanted in their bid to close in on the League title.

The gap between second-placed Rushden and Pool has now been cut down to just three points, but it could have been even worse had Bournemouth capitalised on a one-sided first half in which the visitors failed to find a breakthrough.

Pool have now won just once in seven matches and are looking distinctly nervy as the season reaches its final hurdle.

With just six games to go Mike Newell's men are still going to get promoted - they are still 14 points ahead of the play-off places - but this is a squad who are keen to become the first Pool players to be crowned champions.

Newell concedes his side are not playing well at the moment, but he was pleased to see his side battle out a draw against Bournemouth, who enjoyed large spells of possession inside the Pool half.

"It's another point. We are a bit stuttery at the moment and we are not in the best of form, but all sides go through it," he said.

"If you can pick up points off decent sides then it's a bonus, especially at home."

The return of Gordon Watson to the starting line-up, for the first time since breaking a leg in the derby win over Darlington in early September, gave the near 5,500 Pool fans a massive lift before the game.

And when he rifled a 40-yard volley into the top corner of the net during a pre-match warm-up you got the sense that every fan inside Victoria Park thought this was the match where the League leaders would steer themselves back on track.

But Watson, who scored five goals in eight starts before suffering the injury, was largely a peripheral figure on an afternoon when neither of Pool's strikers could find the breakthrough.

Top-scorer Eifion Williams has now scored just once in 14 games for Pool and Newell admits the Welshman needs a stroke of luck in front of goal to hit a rich vein of form.

"If strikers don't score goals it does affect their confidence," said the former Blackburn Rovers front-man. "It's just human nature and every forward goes through it.

"Eifion just has to keep working and scuff one in the bottom corner. He's hit two shots recently sweet enough. He had one at Bristol Rovers and he's had another one against Bournemouth.

"He just needs a bobbler to go into the bottom corner and he'll be alright."

Williams was replaced by Kevin Henderson with 13 minutes to go against Bournemouth and he made his presence felt straight away by bustling past the Bournemouth defence, well marshalled by Carl Fletcher.

Henderson has only made one League start this season, but Newell hinted that a recall to the first XI could well be on the cards when Pool travel to Kidderminster on Saturday.

"Hendo came on and to be quite honest he made things happen. He roughed them up and was just what we needed," said Newell. "He's dead honest and he's been unfortunate recently. But he's knocking on the door."

In the first half, Bournemouth did not look like a side who had not won away from home since November 23. But for all their possession the Cherries struggled to create clear cut openings with the best chance falling to James Hayter, whose header was well saved by Anthony Williams in the Pool goal.

The hosts were forced into a change after the restart, with Paul Arnison - who staked his claim for a starting place with a convincing display - coming on for skipper Michael Barron who had an abdominal strain.

And whatever Newell said at half-time it had a positive effect on his below par players, as Pool looked more of a threat going forward.

Bournemouth hit the bar through impressive winger Wade Elliott; had a close range shot from Hartlepool-born Steve Fletcher deflected wide; and Anthony Williams had to be alert to deny Hayter a goal with a fine save low to his left.

But Pool, who have not lost on home soil in the League since September 28, had the chances themselves to clinch a much-needed victory.

Ritchie Humphreys and Mark Tinkler combined to set-up Eifion Williams, but his instinctive first-time shot was well saved by former Southampton keeper Neil Moss. And then Arnison and Humphreys played their part in a move which led to Watson striking low into the net, but the referee blew for offside.

Moss produced the save of the match when he tipped over Tinkler's stunning 35-yard volley in the dying seconds as Pool pressed to secure a vital three points.

However, it was to no avail and now Pool fans are still keeping their fingers crossed that this poor run of form comes to an end sooner rather than later.

Result: Hartlepool United 0 Bournemouth 0.

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