HARTLEPOOL United manager Paul Hartley walked away from the Suit Direct Stadium a happy man after watching his side get their first point of the season.

Following their 4-0 humbling away to Walsall on the opening day of the campaign, Pools fought their way to a goalless draw against Johnnie Jackson's AFC Wimbledon side.

“We were really good second half and if we keep performing like that and get a bit of luck we will be OK and we will win games" said Hartley.

“We were excellent at the back with a different shape and system and it’s a new team, a new back three, a new back five, and we felt it was important to keep a clean sheet. If you don’t win the game then don’t lose it.

“Our defending was good and the back three and wing-backs were good. We trained all week very well and if we keep working hard we will get results."

It's been a summer of change at Pools with 14 new players joining the club while they have also have to contend with a number of departures.

However, the turnover of players doesn't stop there as Hartley continued: “We have signed a lot of players and sometimes in football you don’t get time and we have 14 additions with more to come.

“We are a work in progress. Keep working hard and on another day you can get a result.”

The first half was a tame affair with neither side stepping out of first gear.

The home side took control in the second period and Pools’ best moments came on the hour when Jake Hastie’s cross caused chaos, was cleared and from the corner, goalkeeper Nik Tzanev made two fine saves from close range.

Euan Murray almost won it at the death when his 25-yard shot crashed against the crossbar.

Pools head to Ewood Park in midweek to face Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

They will head to Lancashire without teenage winger Joe Grey who is set to spend the next few weeks out of action through injury.