Hartlepool secured a hard-fought point after the early dismissal of defender Daniel Dodds in a goalless home draw against Eastleigh.

Pools full-back Dodds was shown a straight red card in the 15th minute for his reckless sliding challenge on Eastleigh defender Jake Vokins.

Home goalkeeper Brad Young pulled off a superb save to keep out Vokins’ far-post header before half-time and in the second period Hartlepool defender Tom Parkes made a superb block to deny Niall Maher.

Pools went close to snatching all three points in the closing stages when defender Luke Charman’s stinging close-range effort was superbly saved by visiting goalkeeper Joe McDonnell.