Crawley Town 0 - 0 Hartlepool United FC: Hartlepool extend unbeaten run with hard-fought point

Improving Hartlepool extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a hard-fought point in a goalless draw against a Crawley side that have now won just one of their last six home games.

Pools, who have put together their best sequence since early August, came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute.

Midfielder Nathan Thomas got through down the middle and sent a fierce shot inches wide of goalkeeper Paul Jones' right-hand post.

Thomas threatened again moments later when his 20-yard shot deflected off skipper Sonny Bradley.

Crawley struggled to pose a danger in the first half, although midfielder Lyle Della Verde planted a Gwion Edwards cross wide just before the break.

The hosts had a let-off when Jake Gray failed to connect with a dangerous cross from Thomas before the latter shot powerfully against the crossbar.

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson came to Pools' rescue at the other end, parrying a goal-bound shot from debutant striker Liam McAlinden to safety.

Crawley should have clinched victory in the last minute of time added on when Bradley wastefully headed wide from three yards from a Gavin Tomlin cross.