PRIDE, anger, frustration, hope – Craig Hignett is going through a gamut of emotions.

Just like on Saturday at Plymouth, Hartlepool United ended the game with ten men, and drew 1-1 against a side expected to be promoted this season.

Hignett should have six points from six, instead it’s two and the wait for a home win this season goes on.

It’s an old cliché, but someone really is in for a hiding soon. Since the embarrassment at Stevenage, Pools have tightened up defensively and played some sharp football in four unbeaten games.

Scott Harrison was red carded at the weekend, Nicky Featherstone this time. Little doubt that with 11 men, Pools would have won this one, only denied by a stunning Alan Sheehan free-kick.

“We should have won without a doubt,’’ reflected Hignett. “The lads were brilliant and put a real shift in, especially down to ten men when they were disciplined.

“We had chances, they had chances, Podge hit the post to make it two and if we had 11 men we would have seen it out.

“It can’t carry on like this, we don’t get decisions, but I will talk about the spirit and togetherness and being hard to beat.

“We’ve played two teams with so much more resources than us and we have looked the better team in both and should have come away with six points.

“Performances have been brilliant and the opposition have been in a game and they know it – but for some unbelievable decision we would have come away with six points.’’

Nathan Thomas put Pools ahead – marking his 22nd birthday with his fifth goal in as many games.

Hignett added: “Nathan has five in five now and is exceptional, and put a real shift in defensively too. We have saw his quality going forward and been terrific. It’s his birthday and I’m pleased for him.

“But they are all on form, Lewis Hawkins has been outstanding, Josh Laurent outstanding and there’s been really good performances across the pitch. That’s the positive for me, never mind the poor decisions.

“Players have come on leaps and bounds of late since Stevenage.’’

Toto Nsiala was immense at the back, throwing himself into endless blocks and tackles to deny the Hatters, who had a 15 minute first-half spell when they bossed possession as Pools sat off them.

Alongside him in central defence and Liam Donnelly played in his third different defensive position in as many games and gave his third impeccable show.

They took the lead when keeper Christian Walton parried a shot and Thomas was instantly onto it to gleefully smash home from close range.

Padraig Amond was unlucky not to make it two, after picking his spot he fired low across keeper Walton only for the ball to come back off the inside of the post and Thomas fizzed the second ball wide.

Within a minute Pools were a man down, referee Seb Stocksbridge ruling Featherstone’s tackle was illegal. It was Pools’ fourth dismissal of the season – only one of them justified, Nsiala’s handball against Newport.

Hignett said: “The sending-off typifies the standard of referring. Nicky won the ball, both studs up, the explanation was Nicky caught him the chest, which he didn’t.

“It’s never a red card in a million years. Plymouth could have had eight men if that was the case.’’

Featherstone will now miss Saturday’s trip to Grimsby.

Pools revered to 4-4-1 with Amond chasing up front alone and defensively they were generally firm and stout.

Trevor Carson made a majestic save to deny Jordan Cook, while Jack Marriott somehow volleyed over the bar from close range.

It looked like Pools were strong enough to see it out. But a free-kick 22 yards out was superbly curled over the wall and into the top corner by Alan Sheehan to deny Pools.

Visiting boss Nathan Jones said: “It’s the youngest team in Luton’s history I’m told. The cliché is, ‘What would you be like on a Tuesday night at Hartlepool’ and I thought they were excellent.’’

He forgot to add somewhat fortunate to his words.

Goals: Thomas (45, 1-0); Sheehan (76, 1-1)

Bookings: Gillead (foul 53); Famewo (foul 65); Fewster (foul 90)

Sending-off: Featherstone (foul 53)

Referee: Seb Stocksbridge (Sheffield) 3

Attendance: 3,533

Entertainment: 4/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3): Carson 7; Richards 6, Donnelly 8, Nsiala 8, Carroll 6; Hawkins 8, Featherstone 6, Laurent 7; Alessandra 6 (Deverdics 73), Amond 6 (Heardman 84), Thomas 8 (Fewster 87). Subs (not used): Bartlett (gk), Paynter, Pollock, Martin.

LUTON TOWN (4-1-4-1): Walton 7; Justin 6, Sheehan 7, Famewo 6, Potts 6; Lee 7; Gray 5 (Vassell 65, 6), McGeehan 7, Gilliead 6 (Cook 79), Mpanzu 6; Marriott 4. Subs (not used): O’Donnell, Smith, McQuoid, King (gk), Musonda.

MAN OF THE MATCH TOTO Nsiala – a rock at the back when called upon