Hartlepool ended a run of nine successive away defeats as they battled to a 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Tranmere at Prenton Park.
Neither side were at their best in a largely forgettable encounter, although the point edges both further clear of the League One relegation zone.
Tranmere looked the most likely to make the breakthrough in an uninspiring first half, although they were unable to test visiting goalkeeper Scott Flinders.
Paul McLaren and John Welsh both saw efforts fly wide before Terry Gornell missed the target with a header from Aaron Cresswell's cross.
Hartlepool offered little going forward and saw Neil Austin leave the field through injury in the 24th minute, with Leon McSweeney coming on in his place.
Pools improved somewhat after the interval, with Antony Sweeney and James Brown going close from corners, although Craig Curran shaved a post for Tranmere at the other end.
Roy O'Donovan had a great chance to claim all three points for visitors with 22 minutes remaining but failed to beat Rovers keeper Luke Daniels after capitalising on a slip-up from the otherwise impressive Ian Goodison.
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