CRAIG HIGNETT called on his Hartlepool United players to go again, after seeing their seven-game unbeaten run ended at Carlisle.

Pools lost at Brunton Park, suffering a single-goal defeat in a game which they dominated possession, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Without in-form Nathan Thomas, who was missing with a chest infection, and then losing top scorer Billy Payner to a hamstring strain in the second-half, Pools struggled to get in behind a deep-lying home defence.

A month ago and a defeat, of any sorts no matter how it unfurled, would have been worrying such was their precarious position.

But a healthy return in recent weeks has put them into a safe spot, with Dagenham – who had a rare win last night – and York doomed to the drop.

Pools didn’t deserve to lose last night, pressing the Cumbrians, a point short of the play-off zone all the way to the extent that they were desperate to see the game out.

Hignett takes his side to Morecambe on Saturday, the team directly below them and, while they look like being without 15-goal Paynter for the game, the manager has no concerns following this first defeat since March 1 when they were thumped at Bristol Rovers.

“I think we deserved something against a good side, second –half especially was one-way traffic. We made them look ordinary,’’ reflected Hignett, who could be named League Two manager of the month for March on Friday morning.

“Last ball, final ball let us down and we probably had more of the ball, more shots, but didn’t get through. And it’s disappointing we didn’t score and come away with nothing.

“The final third we pressed them and played higher up the pitch, that gives us less margin for error, but we couldn’t quite find that final ball to hurt them at times.

“We have to be right in the final third and we just off it tonight.

“The goal we conceded was disappointing, a long straight ball we expect to deal with and the ball loops off Mags and in.

“We will bounce back, that’s the aim, good teams don’t lose two on the spin and we go to Morecambe, play the same way and go again.’’

Pools kept the ball from the off and it was only 41 seconds for their first opening to come. Luke James took the ball, turned and fired a low shot across goal and just past the post.

It was 40 seconds into the second-half when Pools keeper Trevor Carson made a majestic save. A cross from Tom Miller, the right-back, was headed by Jabo Ibehre.

The firm connection planted the ball into the ground, it bounced high towards the top corner and somehow Carson flew across goal to push it away. A breathtaking save.

After James went close, Pools’ skipper Paynter turned in the area to create an opening, but his shot was kept out by the legs of keeper Gillespie.

Pools had their first scare when a low cross from Miller bounced in the penalty area and Matthew Bates moved in fron of Ibehre to connect with his head, but the ball spun awkwardly off the ground and into Carson’s grasp.

James charged away on the right side at pace, a regular spot of joy for the attacker, and while he shot was heading for the side-netting Gillespie pushed it aside for a corner.

Paynter hobbled off on 52 minutes. He allowed a pass from Carl Magnay to go by, feeling the effects of a hamstring strain, gave the right-back the armband and trudged off.

Pools were soon trailing, but from then on they had plenty of possession.

Without Paynter’s presence, Pools had to play a different attacking game. Rakish Bingham was unable to get in behind the home rearguard and utilise his pace.

Pools had plenty of the ball, had lots of possession, but were unable to make the most of it.

Off went Gray, replaced by Brad Walker. That allowed the majestic Nicky Featherstone to prompt Pools from a more advanced spot.

Walker’s passing, however, was often awry. One pass particularly poor when he played it out of reach of the marauding James.

Jake Carroll went close in injury time with a low, curling shot well saved at the foot of his near post by Gillespie.