FOR a manager with such a positive attacking outlook, Craig Hignett was quick to praise the merits of the other side to the game.

Two weeks after being humbled 6-1 at Stevenage, Pools have responded with four points from two games, conceding only one in the process.

While Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Mansfield may not have been too easy on the eye, and lacked a dose of excitement in the main, it did show that Pools are not all about attacking football.

Granted they created and missed the game’s best chances to win it, Nathan Thomas diverted a in and was tightly flagged offside, and it’s now four games at home without a victory this season, but Hignett remained satisfied.

“We’ve not won at home, but it doesn’t bother me,’’ he said. “We have took good steps after losing at Stevenage, home wins will come and we aren’t a million miles away.

”Newport and today and the first game of the season we could have won, been the one most likely to win it. We want to win at home, to make it a fortress and we’ve not been beaten.’’

Hignett has often joked that his assistant Curtis Fleming is the one tasked with the duty of trying to reign in Hignett’s attacking instinct. Perhaps this was a sign that the message is getting across.

Yet Pools could have won this quite comfortably, instead there was a sense of frustration as they failed to see off the obdurate visitors.

Hignett opted for his preferred 4-3-3 set-up again, on the back of the win at Yeovil.

At the start of the season, Pools missed the influence of Lewis Hawkins. The midfielder hadn’t quite hit his form of last campaign when he greatly impressed under Hignett.

Back in the starting XI at Yeovil, Hawkins adds energy and an honesty to the midfield. Always willing to chase, close down and press the opposition, his ability to use the ball intelligently should not be underestimated.

Hignett said: “Hawks has come back in with energy and we have missed that. Last week we wanted energy and him and Josh Laurent gave us that.

“They will run all day long and don’t ask twice. It’s great to have them and I said at the start of the season about the midfielders – they are all different class. There’s some good footballers in there, Nicky Feath and Woodsy, Nicky Deverdics is a real creative player and then Josh and Hawksy who are running machines.

“Hawks will fill holes, spotting places when wingers go and the wingers put a shift in today. Lewis and Josh just give us that little bit more energy.’’

Laurent also caught the eye in his best performance for the club to date. He may not have been first choice midfielder after Hignett’s summer recruitment, but was strong against Mansfield.

He could and should have scored, lifting a volley over the bar, seeing keeper Scott Shearer tip over a firm drive and then missing a connection with a lovely Nathan Thomas free-kick as he raced in at the far post.

Signed last season from Brentford, Laurent admitted: "I thought we were much the better side, they really only had one chance.

"Apart from that, they never really threatened us, I don't think there was any point in the game when we were going to lose.

"I thought we were the only team that was going to win.

"I'm disappointed, I should have scored, there are no excuses. I should have done more with the header."

He added: "I've been asking for this and praying for this for a long time.

"The gaffer has told me to keep patient, that I'm doing well and it's going to come.

"Finally I've got my chance and I'm just trying to take it week by week, do my best and try to keep my place and do my best for the team.’’

Pools’ clearest opening game when Thomas played in Billy Paynter, only for the striker to lift his finish over the bar.

Hignett added: “Billy said he tried to dink it, but it’s come off his foot like a rocket. To clear the bar from where he was was amazing, but he will get loads of goals and keep going.’’