Hartlepool United 0 Portsmouth 2

AS the Hartlepool United players completed a rather subdued, but still warmly received, lap of honour, question marks hung over many of them.

Who will still be around next season?

For the last two seasons, the final home game of the campaign has brought joyous scenes of emotion; relief, ecstasy and celebration to the fore as Pools have staved off the threat of relegation with vital victories.

It is hoped that the scenes in 12 month’s time will be equally happy – but based on a season of success.

The signs are promising. Pools have improved immeasurably under Craig Hignett over the last two and a half months.

His predecessor Ronnie Moore watched on Saturday as Pools lost to Portsmouth and will have noticed the change in style and system with interest.

Pools play a much more structured passing game under Hignett. Unfortunately the final outcome was the same.

After losing too many games at Victoria Park this season, they’ve been beaten in their last two, both against teams with promotion aspirations.

Accrington beat a weakened Pools side, Pompey a stronger one.

“They had four chances, scored two, we had seven and none put away,’’ reflected Hignett. “Disappointing. There’s a consistency in our play between both boxes.

“I know what’s missing, we have caused problems and can match any team and it’s up to me to find that missing bit. Score goals and you will be up there in the league. It’s alright playing the football and passing the ball, but we need an end product.’’

And how right he was.

After falling behind to an arty finish from Kal Naismith, the Pompey attacker who looked assured during a month on loan at Pools earlier in the season, they upped their attacking game.

Within minutes of the opener, Billy Paynter took a lovely first-time Michael Woods pass in his path, picked his spot and keeper Brian Murphy saved well.

Then Rhys Oates, on for Paynter, was in a similar position. His first touch after his introduction set him up, his second was the shot – again Murphy saved.

Luke James, still with only a penalty for all his efforts while on loan back at Pools (he deserves so much more), couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in the six-yard box.

Then Nathan Thomas drove at his man, crossed, picked out Oates and he headed powerfully over. The show of frustration by Thomas said it all. Everyone was feeling the same way.

Pompey then showed how it’s done, substitute Conor Chaplin cracking in low. They will now face Plymouth, Pools’ last day opponents, in the play-offs.

Hignett will speak to his squad this week and let them know who is staying and who is going.

He could easily remove seven or eight from the over-weighted squad and not lose much. There’s some borderline decisions to come but, in the main, Hignett has long known what he wants.

There’s some players who haven’t had a look in of late which says enough about their fate already.

He said: “I’ve thanked the players for what they have done, this is the last home game, and what they have done is credit to them and look at the position we are in now – there’s some great lads in there and I’ve been really pleased and had positive feedback from the lads in what we are trying to do.

“We are not far away, three or four proper additions and we are more than a match for anyone, I’m sure of that. We will improve, it won’t be a massive difference in the squad but a bit of quality and bit by bit as time goes on I’m sure in 12 month’s time we will be in a much stronger position for it, I know that for a fact.’’

Of Saturday’s game, he added: “We should not have lost this, maybe one-nil is our own fault, but did two flatter them? Chances we had showed they are a real good side, players knew what they were doing and it’s hard.

“I knew that, but it’s easy to see why I’m disappointed. One on one twice, a header three yards out, Luke six yards out. Another other days they are goals – gilt-edged chances.

“We lost again, that’s three now and I’m saying the game thing week after week.’’