MANAGER Craig Hignett felt the best team lost as Hartlepool United succumbed at Notts County.

Jon Stead's 13th goal of the season proved enough to decide a tight contest, which moved the Magpies level on points with Pools.

Hignett's men are mathematically safe, 18 points clear of the drop zone with five games remaining, ahead of Saturday’s home game with second-bottom York.

And Hignett, on the back of Saturday’s superb 5-2 win at Morecambe, was encouraged by what he witnessed at Meadow Lane.

“We played some great stuff, and I said before the game that patience would be the key,” he said, after a third defeat in ten games. “I think we did force things and there was nothing in the game really.

“We were the better team and one lapse in concentration has cost us. The players are frustrated and I am too. We played too many straight balls and we are not that type of team.

“We are a footballing side and if takes an extra pass for us to get in, then so be it - the lads all know that.

“We got in a few times down the edge of the box, but could not find that final pass. We made enough chances to get something out the game, but we didn’t score.

“For the vast majority of the game, we kept the ball really well and played some good stuff.”

A blistering exchange of passes on the edge of the box in the opening stages proved Pools would pack a threat.

The move ended with Michael Woods slipping an inch-perfect pass into the feet of Michael Duckworth who fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box which was cut out by Thierry Audel.

It was an excellent opening by the visitors whose dazzling green away kit was as colourful as their football.

When Luke James then fired towards the near post, expectancy grew in the away end but Notts were quick to launch a riposte when Izale McLeod saw a shot blocked by Adam Jackson.

It was not long before Notts were threatening again and this time a shift of the ball through the centre of midfield ended with McLeod dumped to the turf by a strong challenge.

With the free-kick 25-yards from goal, Liam Noble assumed responsibility and narrowly cleared the bar which had goalkeeper Trevor Carson worried enough to fling himself into the air.

It was developing into an entertaining game and just as you sensed Pools were being suffocated by Notts’ possession, they came roaring back into life.

Predictably it was through Woods who was having an excellent game as he left Stanley Aborah in his wake with a wonderful turn of pace.

He then danced around a tackle on the edge of the box, but couldn’t supply a finish.

That was enough to spark Notts’ best chance of the half as Stead picked out Noble, but with only Carson to beat, his final effort was weak.

Back came Pools, who saw Rhys Oates leave Elliott Hewitt following his vapour trail before ghosting past Mike Edwards.

He fashioned the ball onto his left foot, but screwed it wide of the far post.

With both sides playing some extremely attractive football, it was hard to see how the game would remain goalless and when Notts began the second half with purpose, Pools had to rely on a smart stop from Trevor Carson to keep them level when he dived low to keep out a low strike from Wes Atkinson and gather at the second attempt.

It was not long before Notts attacked again, this time through McLeod who burst into the area and sized up the near post, which again was kept out by Carson.

Notts were hunting the breakthrough and in the 54thminute it arrived when Elliott Hewitt was released in behind left-back Michael Duckworth by a brilliant pass from Liam Noble.

He cut the ball back for Stead who lashed in first time to net his 13th goal of the season to seal Notts’ win.

Pools pushed forward for an equaliser and came close on two occasions.

First Scott Loach was required to produce a brilliant save to deny Lewis Hawkins before Rob Scott also saw a shot hacked off the line as Pools failed to find a breakthrough.