FOR a couple of weeks now, Craig Hignett has vowed to use the final games of the season to cast an eye over his Hartlepool United squad members.

One game will have proved more than enough for some of them.

Pools lost at home to Accrington Stanley last night, going down to a first Victoria Park defeat in six games.

Hignett made five changes to his starting XI from the weekend. It showed as some of his players failed to make the impact expected

Pools trailed after only three minutes, levelled, conceded on half-time and in the second half failed to make any inroads on the opposition.

Stanley moved up to second in League Two thanks to the win, but it would have proved a different night for the promotion chasers if Pools first choice side – the one which flew through March and lifted Pools up to 16th in the table – was out there performing.

Hignett was well within his rights to field an experimental side. After all, the new manager hasn’t had much of a chance to see many of his charges in competitive action.

How many of them get another chance with three games remaining remains to be seen. Pools to go Oxford on Saturday, before Portsmouth and Plymouth follow.

The manager will demand more in the final three games.

“First half we weren’t at it and words were said at half time - I was expecting a lot more if I’m honest,’’ he reflected.

“We picked up a bit without really creating too much and on reflection a draw would have been lucky – they played really well but were allowed to play well.

“We fell behind early, one of them games we didn’t get going at all – a lack of energy, no care with the ball and it wasn’t really like us.

“Second-half we made a change, huffed and puffed, but really didn’t have enough going forward to make an impact.

“I’ve learned an awful lot about players, an awful lot.

“I wanted to give players a chance who have been knocking on the door – it was a home game, against a team flying high and a chance for them to go out and show me what they are all about.

“They are going well, so are we and we let them play football. We watched them do things and we felt it was too easy for them.

“Since I’ve been there, the lads have been fantastic in what I’m trying to do. I don’t want to go through waiting for the summer holidays and if they are with me they will go to the end of the season, if not they go elsewhere.’’

Pools never really got out of second gear all evening. On Saturday against a poor York side they didn’t have to, but last night it was different.

Stanley, with former Pools boss Mike Newell among their coaching staff, have plenty of ambition left in their season.

A corner on three minutes wasn’t really cleared and Seamus Conneely picked up the ball to flash a volley across Trevor Carson into the far corner of the net.

They hadn’t really threatened themselves

But Pool levelled from nothing. A corner from Jordan Richards landed for Rakish Bingham, free to head in after his marker slipped over.

It was similar to the goal Pools shipped against York at the weekend.

And just like against the Minstermen they conceded again right on 45 minutes.

After Stanley went close on a few occasions, as they often attacked Pool’s left side with both Josh Windass and Piero Mingoia using the flank, they took the lead.

Trevor Carson had already saved well from Windass, before the striker cracked a shot against the far post from an angle and Tarique Fosu knocked home the rebound.

Nathan Thomas twice went close for Pools before they conceded, one storming run from deep ended when he was crowded out in the penalty area, and then a minute later his low ball needed someone sharp enough to turn it in from close range.

Pools, in the second half, had more shape about them and enjoyed more possession. The introduction of Nicky Featherstone for Brad Walker made a huge difference.

But chances on goal were too rare.

Hignett, who has striker Scott Fenwick back at the club after his loan spell at Tranmere was ended, added: “Nicky made a massive difference, we pushed them back and looked like we going to get something. If we pressed more, we would have been alright.

“I’ve learned loads about the ream, the squad and the players.

“Second half we had a better shape and made it more difficult for them and they couldn’t get out at times. I can’t remember their keeper making too many saves.’’