THE sun was shining, hopes were high of good times ahead. But Hartlepool United let themselves down against Colchester by conceding a soft goal and dropping points.

That was back in August the League Two season got underway.

Six months down the line and not only the weather has changed for the worse as Pools faced the Us again.

Pools’ season has faltered, form and results cost Craig Hignett his job and, as they sit on the cusp of the relegation zone.

They suffered a fifth successive away defeat and haven’t won on the road since a 3-0 triumph at Grimsby on October 1.

Since then Pools have dropped to a familiar position, looking over their shoulders and hoping others drop points.

Newport and Orient sit below them. There’s two teams worse than them in the League Two table; but it should continue that way as Pools are showing signs of progress and development under Dave Jones.

The pass, pass, pass outlook they had under Hignett has been replaced by a more direct game, as they play with a purpose.

But the old failings persist and, for all his efforts in changing the way they play, Jones cannot yet instigate the key alteration; that of self-belief.

Go back to day one and an early routine mistake cost them as they needlessly conceded an early goal from a corner.

This weekend they were the architects of their own downfall again.

At a time when the home side started turning up the pressure and forcing Pools back, the visitors were playing on the counter attack.

They offered a slack pass to give the ball away and a couple of passes later it was in the net.

Then Liam Donnelly got caught the wrong side of goalscorer Guthrie, and, with the attacker looking for a penalty, he went down in the area under a challenge for a soft spot-kick converted by Chris Porter.

Jones said at his pre-match press conference that he was pleasantly surprised by how technically adept his players are. Perhaps it’s also shocked him how mentally fragile they are proving.

“People say this level is about concentration and it cost us again. It’s frustrating for us, I’m a bit angry with them at the moment as they are so close to it (being a good side), but they have to believe it,’’ he reflected.

“In good positions we can’t give the ball away, cherry pick for the keeper. We trained twice this week in 100 mile an hour winds and it’s all flying across the box, we come here and we put balls in the keeper’s hands from great positions

“Effort and attitude cannot be questioned, they’ve got to believe in themselves more. Don’t play safe, play the right ball and I can see it (improvement) happening. ‘’

Pools weren’t under any real first-half pressure. They only had one worry, after Brad Walker was caught out shepherding the ball out of play and was robbed, but keeper Joe Fryer saved.

But just like Crawley did in Hignett’s final game in charge, the Us upped their game after the break.

They pressed Pools back, played more football in the Pools half of the field.

Striker Padraig Amond was a bit too isolated, but Pools should have had enough from midfield charging forward to support him.

After Nathan Thomas poked the ball home to get one back after Michael Woods played him through, Pools had the momentum. Hopes raised of an equaliser.

That belief Jones wants from his charges was showing.

But some weak refereeing from Ben Toner killed the game off in the home side’s favour and Pools couldn’t find it again.

Jones added: “I felt we dominated for long spells, we got into good positions, but that final ball cost us too often.

“The whole team did well and it’s those lapses which cost us. That’s the difference between teams in this division.

“We are trying to change things so we don’t throw games away. We need a bit more care and quality and we have to show more. We have to change it. We cannot get in those positions and not make the most of it.

“We started well, took control from the off and didn’t allow them into it. We had four early corners, that’s what you want as an away team.

“I just don’t think there’s enough belief in the squad.’’