Hartlepool battled to a goalless draw against Braintree after seeing goalkeeper Joel Dixon taken off injured and captain Luke Waterfall shown a red card in their Vanarama National League match at Victoria Park.

The match was stopped in the 25th minute when a supporter needed medical treatment, before play resumed following a delay of around five minutes.

Hartlepool were forced into a change after 33 minutes when goalkeeper Dixon picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Adam Smith.

The home side were then soon down to 10 men when Pools defender Waterfall was shown a straight red card following a clash with George Langston.

Adam Campbell saw a free-kick tipped away in the second half before Braintree – who came up last season via the National League South play-offs – went close when a late curling effort from substitute James Vennings was pushed over by Smith.