In a wind-affected match, the home side failed for the ninth match to force a win. Their FA Cup exploits in reaching the sixth round have now faded and they are not yet safe from a relegation fight.
Here they were forced into an early reshuffle when Danny Coles damaged his left knee in making an interception which stopped David Foley on the edge of the area.
Coles was playing at right-back and Aaron Lescott moved over from the left to reclaim his normal position in defence.
Playing into the strong wind in the first half, Hartlepool quickly managed to pose problems.
Rovers were lucky to escape with nothing more serious than a corner, when a strong run by Matty Robson carried the Hartlepool player past their back four.
There was an even better chance for the visitors minutes later when Joel Porter found himself clear inside the box but much to Rovers' relief he ran the ball out of play.
Starting only his second league game, 18-year-old Josh Klein-Davies brought an uncomplicated freshness to the Rovers attack.
A smart turn and shot nearly caught out Hartlepool, and it was his ball which set up a header for Rickie Lambert which drew a leaping sideways save from Arran Lee-Barrett.
The keeper might have looked for more support from his defence at that moment but he was soon grateful to Jamie McCunnie and Robson who both cleared off the line.
Young Klein-Davies made way for Andy Williams for the last 20 minutes as both sides tried to unlock a match which stubbornly refused to come to life. Lambert went closest for Rovers, being denied by Lee-Barrett's fine stop at the foot of his near post.