Ten-man Hartlepool lost ground at the top of the National League as they were held to a goalless draw by Eastleigh.

Pools began the day two points behind Sutton but that gap is now four after the leaders’ victory over King’s Lynn.

There were few chances in an even first half and the key moment of the game arrived two minutes after the break, when young defender Timi Odusina was shown a second yellow card.

Play-off chasing Eastleigh applied plenty of pressure but could not find a winning goal, with Ben House’s cross-shot that bounced off the bar the closest they came.