MATTHEW BATES was satisfied to have claimed a point from promotion-chasing Leyton Orient - even if it meant Hartlepool United slipping out of the National League play-off zone.

Orient had to play the last 31 minutes with ten men after Joe Widdowson was sent off but Pools couldn’t make the extra man count.

The O's dominated for large periods, even after the Widdowson’s red card for a reckless challenge on Michael Woods, but Hartlepool defended strongly enough to keep them at bay and leave with a point.

And Bates was happy with the hard-fought point against one of the division’s toughest teams.

“It’s a good point and we would have taken it before the game,” he said. “I think when they go down to ten men there’s always that tinge of what could have been, but we were playing against a good side. Sometimes it isn’t easy to play against ten men and they proved that.

“It didn’t surprise me how Orient kept attacking after the red card. At the end of the day they’re second in the league and there wasn’t one moment where I didn’t think they were going to go for it.

“I’ve said it before, but against ten men or eleven men I’m always wanting to win football matches. That goes without saying. We tried to win it, they tried to win it and it made for an entertaining game.”

Orient had the best chance of the first half in the 36th minute. Macauley Bonne played in Craig Clay but his curling shot flew inches over the crossbar.

James Alabi was inches away from connecting with James Brophy's low cross in the opening seconds of the second half as the home side continued to look the more likely.

But Justin Edinburgh's men remained in control as Jobi McAnuff sent a free-kick inches past the upright and Alabi was denied by goalkeeper Scott Loach when clean through.

Loach produced a stunning save to keep out an Alabi header in the 76th minute, while Hartlepool hit a post in stoppage time through substitute Conor Newton, but it would have been harsh on Orient. Hartlepool, though, can be proud to have left with something.

Pools: Loach, Donaldson, Kioso, Davies, Magnay, Kitching, Featherstone, Noble (Newton 88), Woods (Hawkes 81), Muir, James (Dinanga 83).

Subs Not Used: Richardson, Hawkins.