CRAIG HIGNETT has been pipped for the manager of the month award for March.

The Hartlepool United boss, in his first full month in charge at Victoria Park, lost out to Bristol Rovers’ chief Darrell Clarke. Left-back Jake Carroll also missed out, as Clarke's striker Matty Taylor made it a Memorial Stadium double for the promotion-chasers.

Rovers beat Pools 4-1 on March 1, before Pools remained unbeaten for the rest of the month.

Hignett, who ended his playing days at Pools as a teammate of Clarke in 2008, said: “Darrell has taken four more points from me in March – it can’t take much working out for the panel who should win it!

“I’m delighted with what we have done, where we have come from and where we are now I couldn’t ask for me. We’ve been on a good run, moved up the table and it’s gone well.’’

Pools suffered a first defeat in eight games when they went to Carlisle on Tuesday evening, going down 1-0.

They are at Morecambe, one of the teams Pools have jumped over in the League Two rankings of late, tomorrow and Hignett is confident his players won’t let him down.

“We lost on Tuesday, but when you play well and don’t get a result it’s hard. We didn’t play that well against Mansfield last weekend, but managed to grind out a win,’’ he reflected.

“It’s all about changing the mentality here and being hard to play against. We are hard to play against now and we will win games and the lads know that now and it’s filtering down.

“It’s pleasing to see that mentality is here after the season they have had and it’s credit to the players for what they have done.

“Good teams don’t lose two in a row and I think we are a good team now and really close to being a very good one – probably two or three players short.

“Good teams will have a reaction after defeat and I’m looking for that reaction.’’

There’s every chance striker Billy Paynter will be missing tomorrow. He was forced off in midweek with a hamstring strain.

"Billy felt his hamstring the other night. Buster will assess that and then we'll see where he is for the weekend,’’ he said. "At the minute I would say it was touch and go.

"Billy has been another one who has been fantastic for me. He's a leader, he’s great in the dressing room and he scores goals, he'll be a big miss."

Nathan Thomas remains a doubt after missing the trip to Brunton Park. Hignett said: “Nathan has a really bad infection, seen the doctor and suffers from asthma. He’s struggling a bit, but could be in tomorrow for training.’’

Michael Woods (dead leg) is also a doubt, but was expected to train yesterday.