Frustrating day for Pools as they are held by O’s
HARTLEPOOL 0 LEYTON ORIENT 0
HARTLEPOOL United remain nine points adrift of the League Two playoff places after they endured a frustrating afternoon against Leyton Orient.
Another bumper crowd of over 6,000 made their way to the Suit Direct Stadium – but the Pools faithful were unable to inspire their side to all three points against an Orient side that were without a win since December.
It was the visitors that had the first sight of goal when Paul Smyth’s pinpoint cross looked to be heading towards Harry Smith – but the forward was unable to make significant contact with the ball.
Another chance fell the way of
Richie Wellens’ side on the quarterhour mark when Ruel Sotirou got the better of Neill Byrne before crashing a shot wildly off target.
Pools were unable to find their way past their visitors until ten minutes before half time when Newcastle United loanee Joe White struck a shot just beyond the near post.
A low-key first-half unsurprisingly ended goalless – but that almost changed in the early minutes of the second-half when Pools captain Byrne blocked a Hector Kypianou effort on the line.
The visitors continued to threaten with Smyth and Smith at the forefront once again – but they were both denied by Pools keeper
Ben Killip. Pools’ best opportunity came 10 minutes into the second half when Omar Bogle should have done better with a weak shot that never really troubled O’s keeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
Substitute Marcus Carver and Bogle both tried their luck without success as the final quarter of an hour approached – but their weak efforts summed up an underwhelming performance from this side as they earned a share of the spoils.