Hartlepool boss expects more improvements

Pools seem to have left the relegation fight behind them – not that their Football League status is safe just yet.

But given they are nine points above the drop zone with games still in hand, Hignett’s assertion they should only look up and not down does not look an unfair one.

Pools drew 0-0 at Crawley on Saturday when Nathan Thomas saw a shot hit the bar though the hosts missed an open goal with the last play of the game.

“Nathan was excellent, really positive and a goal threat, he’s really difficuilt to stop when he’s on form like that,” he said.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t create a bit more and score a goal.

“But, having said that, they put us under pressure in the last 10 minutes, but we stood up, gritted our teeth and got a point.

“Luck went our way when they missed that chance at the very end, but maybe our luck is changing, I think we deserved it.

“A point I think was a fair result.”

Pools have put together an unbeaten sequence of four matches – their best of the season – since that Tuesday night horror show at Bristol Rovers.

“Back-to-back clean sheets is good and we’ve not conceded many since Bristol,” said Hignett who is relieved to be back at Victoria Park this Friday against Wimbledon.

“I think the reaction following that defeat has been first class.

“We’ve won two games 3-1 and then had two 0-0s on the road.

“The last two matches we have looked really solid against teams who put you under pressure.

“That’s the standard now – that’s the least we should be.

“But there is still more in the tank, we are a young group and it’s a group that will get better.”

He added: “We have had a helluva week with all the travelling. We got back at five o’clock Wednesday morning from Newport and midnight after this trip.

“I’d take two draws and two clean sheets all day long.”