HARTLEPOOL United and Darlington played out a goalless draw in the League Two derby - but it's the visitors who will be the happiest.

Pools dominated possession for long periods, but couldn't find a way through.

Visiting keeper Sam Russell made a superb save to deny Micky Nelson a late winner, while Neil Wainwright performed heroics on the line to clear Gary Liddle's goalbound volley in injury time.

At the other end, Pools' keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos was a spectator for long periods.

Quakers started with Julian Joachim up front, the club's record signing making a suprise return from a hamstring strain.

But he laboured through the opening half and was taken off at the break, without proving a threat.

The liveliest player on the pitch in the opening half was Pools winger David Foley and he went close to scoring when he smashed a volley wide from 12 yards.

After Joachim's withdrawl, Simon Johnson was pitched up front and his pace asked questions of the Pools back four.

But chances and clear openings for the visitors were few and far between.

POOLS: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys; Liddle, Boland, Robson; Porter, Daly, Foley. Subs: Bullock, Brackstone, Brown, Provett, D Williams.

QUAKERS: Russell, Hutchinson, Close, Collins, Clarke, Keltie, Cummins, Wainwright, Smith, Joachim, Armstrong. Subs: Stockdale, Holloway, Johnson, Conlon, Rowson.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

In the draw for the first round of the FA Cup, Pools must travel to Rochdale, while Quakers go to Lewes in east Sussex.