FOR a team that started the season scoring goals without much trouble, it’s all dried up now for Hartlepool United.

Another blank yesterday, in yet another home defeat, means they have not notched in 450 minutes of football.

Not since Lewis Alessandra scored in the 90th minute to complete a 2-0 win over Accrington on November 24 have Pools netted.

And you can even count on one hand, with some fingers to spare, the amount of shots opposition goalkeepers have had to save since that night.

No-one had a better chance to end the drought than Alessandra himself.

Trailing to Blackpool, Pools were awarded a penalty with six minutes to go. He blasted it high over the bar and into the Town End.

It was an awful spot kick, symptomatic of the problems Pools have right now.

And Alessandra should not even have been taking the penalty. With Billy Paynter substituted, Padraig Amond, his replacement, was supposed to.

There was no argument or debate on the pitch over who was having it, but maybe there should have been.

It left boss Craig Hignett labelling his players as ‘unprofessional’.

Disappointed with the slack nature of the goal conceded, he admitted: “At half-time the game was there for us and I’ve said after the game it’s two pieces of lack of concentration or professionalism which has cost us.

“We are ball watching a long ball and get caught out. We have a designated penalty taker in Podge, but Lewie took it and it was a poor decision.’’

Hignett, who was unable to get his message across to his players on the pitch as he sat in the stands serving the second game of a two-game FA touchline ban, added: “I expect Podge to take it, Lewie took it and the designated penalty taker should have taken it.

“Podge missed (a penalty) against Accrington, but Billy isn’t there and it’s Podge’s job to take it.

“If the keeper saves, then OK, but conditions what they are I felt a sidefoot low was needed.

“Lewie has to learn about it, he’s a talented lad and he took it for honest reasons – to score and get us back into it.

“If he scored then no-one says a word, but he missed and people ask questions.’’

After the encouragement of a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth last weekend, there was an expectation that Pools would take it on a stage further this time out.

Instead, they stepped sideways. They were bright in possession in the opening half hour, but again pushed and probed around and in front of the visiting defence.

When they did get in behind them, Alessandra checked back onto his right foot instead of shooting – he’s done it before this season from a similar position – and a defender was given enough time to block.

Paytner lacked real support up front and didn’t put himself about enough or in the manner expected.

He would, however, have scored the penalty such is his prowess from the spot.

The first-half was a stop-start affair. The strongest of swirling winds made it a difficult encounter and 16 free-kicks in the opening 45 minutes meant it was hard to get the game going.

Trevor Carson made a fine save, diving one-handed to his left to keep out a Kyle Vassell header.

Alessandra was presented with a chance from a low Rhys Oates cross, the ball falling his way after Josh Laurent’s swipe saw him miss the ball.

The low shot from Alessandra looked destined for the bottom corner only to whistle wide. It was, in fairness, a lot closer than his penalty.

Minutes later and the only goal came. A long punt from the back sailed over Scott Harrison and Jake Carroll for Mark Cullen to race onto and he didn’t mess about.

Pools moved to 4-4-2 from 4-3-3 but keeper Sam Slocombe wasn’t really tested.

“I felt we were alright in the game, we defended alright and it was always tight because of conditions and a lapse in concentration cost us,’’ mused Hignett after the 11th home game this season they have failed to win.

“They didn’t cut us open, but a long punt upfield and we got caught ball watching.

“But we put pressure on, got a penalty and a draw wasn’t ideal but we will take it.

“We put balls across without getting bodies in the box and strikers weren’t where they were supposed to be.

“Liam (Donnelly) put four or five in to be tapped in and people stood still a bit static in the box.

“The penalty sums up the lack of confidence. Scoring goals and everyone is confident and wants to shoot.

“Instead an extra touch means they mishit or miss the target and it gives people the chance to get back and get a foot in.’’