HARTLEPOOL UNITED were thumped 5-0 by Cambridge in a result every bit as comprehensive as it seems.

Four goals in 19 second-half minutes saw the Us take total command to embarrass Pools and manager Craig Hignett. 

This was their second heavy defeat in a week, after they lost 4-0 at Port Vale in the FA Cup to pile the pressure on boss Hignett.

First-half and Pools were bright without testing the visiting goalkeeper.

Home defender Toto Nsiala bundled over Luke Berry in the area, but his penalty was superbly saved by Trevor Carson on 43 minutes.

But they crumbled in the second-half.

Carson made another fine save to deny Luke Berry, but Pools failed to clear and James Dunne smashed in a fine shot from 15 yards on 52 minutes.

Ten minutes later the lead was doubled as Berry knocked in from close range after being teed up from a powerful run by Uche Ikpeazu on the right.

On 67 minutes, a deep Berry corner was powerfully headed in at the far post by defender Leon Legge.

There was only a four minute wait for the fourth, Ikpeazu getting a deserved goal with a tap in.

And on 88 minutes substitute Max Clark’s shot was deflected in.

Hignett said: “I couldn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t surprise me, we’ve done it a couple of times this season .

“Something goes against us, and we collapse and fold. Not the only time is it? A few games this season.

“I’ve had some bad days in football, but that’s probably the worse.  It’s tough to take.

“I’ve got what I’ve got with the players, that’s it. It’s not about systems it’s character and bottle. Can you dig deep, look for out mates, hang in, but we can’t.

“I’ve said we are soft. I’ve got the take the blame for that, the buck stops with me and I will take it.

“It’s about pride. At half-time the game was really close, a great save form Trev. But as soon as we get a set-back the whole world collapses.’’