THERE'S a script Hartlepool United seem to follow for Friday night home games.

Both last night against Bury and last November against York, Pool had a frustrating time as they drew 0-0 against a team striving for the play-offs, had a half-time floodlight failure and played in front of near identical crowds.

Last night 5,734 - four less than last time - were at Victoria Park on a night of frustration.

Bury's tight defence gave nothing away and Gordon Watson's arrival on 81 minutes got the biggest cheer of the night, the fans' favourite back after suffering a broken leg last September.

But even his arrival couldn't help Pool break their Friday night deadlock. He almost managed it, but headed wide under pressure.

Pool, though, spent too much time hitting long balls into a strong defence and too often let themselves down in front of their third biggest crowd of the season.

A minute in and after Adam Boyd miskicked in front of goal, Mark Tinkler played in Eifion Williams but the leading scorer, without a goal since January 21, allowed the opposition to close him down and the chance was gone.

At Gigg Lane last September it was Bury who started the game at 100 miles an hour and this time it was Pool's turn as a stream of early chances were created.

Once the early drive faded, Pool found a Bury side who were willing to try to match them in the passing stakes, in stark contrast to their previous encounter at Lincoln, where the home team play their football in the clouds.

Pool almost caused their own downfall on 33 minutes. As right back Micky Barron pushed on, Pool lost possession and when the ball was crossed into the danger area, Tommy Widdrington crashed a header against his own bar with keeper Anthony Williams stranded.

Bury's away record is second in the division to Pool and, strong at the back and busy in midfield, it wasn't hard to see why.

A tidy exchange of passes led to Tinkler finding plenty of space in midfield, but after he touched the ball forward, his low drive was pushed wide.

Then Humphreys played in Boyd and keeper Glyn Garner tipped his shot over the bar. Humphreys then broke from deep, again found Boyd and this time he lifted his shot over under pressure.

After the ground was plunged into darkness at half-time, it took ten minutes for Pool's lights to come on and, after a tepid start to the half, Clarke volleyed over the bar.

But that was all they could muster for a long period and it was Bury who looked dangerous on the break. Boyd again lost possession and Colin Cramb's chip drifted wide.

Pool needed desperately to get the ball down and dictate the game. Long balls into the forwards were easy for Bury's ex-Bishop Auckland defender Micky Nelson, who was dominant at the back.

At the other end, there was a scare as Anthony Williams came and missed a long free kick fired into the penalty box.

When Pool attacked, too often the final delivery let them down.

Second-placed Rushden go to Wrexham today and with a healthy ten-point lead at the top, a win for the Welshmen would go down well at Victoria Park