SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher was left with mixed emotions following his side’s 0-0 draw at Hartlepool United this afternoon.

Maher was pleased to avoid defeat against the hard-working Pools.

But the 47-year-old was also frustrated Blues could not make more of their extra man after the hosts had skipper Luke Waterfall sent off just four minutes into the second half.

Oli Coker, Gus Scott-Morriss, Josh Walker, Jack Wood and Noor Husin all came close to hitting the back of the net.

And Maher was unhappy the Shrimpers could not make more of the opportunities coming their way.

“I’m disappointed not to win but this is a tough place to come,” said Maher.

“They will cause teams a lot of problems here and pick up a lot of points too.

“It’s a clean sheet and a point on the road.

“We wanted three but couldn’t quite get it over the line, it just wouldn’t go in.”

Blues restricted Hartlepool to very few chances.

And Maher admitted the plan was for the Shrimpers to build on a strong defensive platform before looking to cause more problems of their own.

“The game plan was coming here, knowing how tough it will be,” said Maher.

“They ask questions of you and the big man up top (Mani Dieseruvwe) is a real handful.

“We knew we had to be strong against him and stand up to the physical element of the game but then be ready at the other end too.

“We'd bring on Bridgey (Jack Bridge) and Noor (Husin) around 60 minutes and get the goal we needed but we couldn’t quite do it.

“We kept throwing bodies on trying to get the winner but it just wouldn’t fall.

"It just wouldn’t go in."

Blues nearly triumphed at the death but substitute Wood was denied by Hartlepool goalkeeper Joel Dixon.

And Maher thought the Shrimpers should have made more of the opportunity.

"They are the moments you’ve got take," said Maher.

"It’s a clear cut one but he just didn’t quite catch it as cleanly as he would’ve wanted to.

"You wanted the ball to drop to one of our players in the melee that followed but it just didn’t do that.

"It’s disappointing not to win but it’s a tough place to come.

"They will cause teams a lot of problems here and pick up a lot of points. We’ve kept a clean sheet and it’s a point on the road. We wanted three but couldn’t quite get over the line.