LESS than a week into his tenure in February as Hartlepool United manager and Craig Hignett was up against Notts County. Pools trailed 2-0, got it back to 2-2, could have won it and lost 3-2.

Step forward to Tuesday night, Pools trailed at Crewe 3-1, got it back to 3-3, could have won it, could have lost it and drew 3-3.

As they say… the more things change the more they stay the same.

Pools take on Notts again today at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium, seeking to build on a positive start to the season after taking four points from two away games at Exeter and Crewe in the last week.

“Notts last season was a massive learning curve for me,’’ reflected Hignett. “We should have won and we lost. We came back to 2-2, pushed all the way and could have won it and then lost it.

“It’s a different story now and we are a different proposition to what we were with goals and pace in the side now.

“We changed the formation the other night a few times. I don’t think Crewe can play much better than that, but we can.

“We went from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and then went for it at 4-2-4. At 3-1 down it’s easy to go for it and try and get back into a game, but when we got back to 3-3 I still wanted to go for it.

“That’s hard as sub-consciously we do sit back and try and keep what you have. We did that at times and one or two thought about keeping what we had, but I wanted to go the other way and push on and win it 4-3 or 5-3. And we could have.’’

Pools have trailed in each of their games so far, with two goals from right-back Carl Magnay helping them level.

Hignett was impressed with the character shown by his side and said: “The spirit came to the fore the other night and we could have crumbled. Hartlepool teams have crumbled in the past and it could have been 4-1 or 5-1. Instead we showed the other side to our game now.

“I don’t feel when we fall behind we will fold. Colchester was a good reaction, the same at Exeter and again at Crewe. We always believe and I felt if we got back to 3-2 at Crewe we could come back.

“Consistency over a season is key and they are the teams who do well.

“We’ve trailed in each game so far, and if Billy Paynter scored early at Crewe and we go in front it’s different. There’s goals in the side, it’s not long before we score first, but even if we go one down we won’t panic.’’

Pools take on Newport at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium next weekend and a healthy return from those games will turn a promising start into a very positive one.

Hignett added: “Two homes games to come, it’s good for us. Notts County have started without getting results, but have been playing well. I’ve seen clips and will watch their game from Tuesday. The division is much of a muchness.''

Pools last night signed Liam Donnelly after a successful trial spell at Victoria Park following his release from Fulham. The 20-year-old, capped once by Northern Ireland, has signed a permanent deal.

A week after Pools re-signed centre-half Scott Harrison, Donnelly further boosts Pools’ defensive ranks.

He can play centre-half, right-back or as a holding midfield player and he impressed boss Craig Hignett with his combative nature.

“Tommy Miller had seen him playing for Fulham and recommended him,” said Hignett. “He’s a competitive lad who can play in a variety of positions. He’s keen to learn and improve so he’s just the type of character we’ve looked to bring in – players who have a point to prove and are hungry.”

Ex-Pools boss Ronnie Moore has been appointed manager at National League side Eastleigh, while former striker Rakish Bingham is to sign for Hamilton.