Craig Hignett: Pools can achieve this season but lack belief

But, speaking after his side again let a home lead slip against Crawley Town, the gaffer thinks belief is the only thing standing in the way of Pools and a place at the top end of the League Two table.

Give our dedicated Hartlepool United Facebook page a like.“If they have belief, they will do things this year," said Hignett.

"We need to have that belief. It's not about just being safe and hanging around in mid-table, I believe we can do something."

Despite Lewis Alessandra's opportunist first-half strike, following Nathan Thomas' penalty miss, Pools were pegged back by James Collins' spot-kick in the closing stages.

And despite missing out on a first home win in six this season, a run which even stretches back to the end of last season and April's 2-1 win over York City, Pools are actually also unbeaten in six.

Despite the disappointment, that's something that pleases Hignett.

"We remain unbeaten and it shows we can play against play-off teams and not lose," he said.

"If someone was going to win it, it was going to be us.

"Our final third was a bit sloppy and we had chances to snatch and missed them, but we could have lost it.

"It was like a few games here, we look like we are going to win then we don’t. Do we get a lead and get scared? When you go in front you want to protect it and want to get in and do the things that gave you the lead."