TWO games in the Super 6 Stadium dugouts and it’s all been about the substitutions for Craig Hignett.

December 1 and the caretaker manager replaces Mark Kitching with Connor Newton and a one-goal lead is turned into a 2-1 defeat in minutes against Dagenham.

January 26 and the club’s third permanent boss of the season puts Luke James on at half-time, tweaks the formation and Pools turn a one goal deficit into a 2-1 victory.

Winning was, to be truthful, all that matter on Saturday. After a typically traumatic week at the club, with manager Richard Money and director of football Hignett effectively swopping jobs, three points was the be all and end all.

How they got there against the National League’s bottom-placed side was thanks to Hignett’s changes.

A first-half where Pools failed to get going, followed by a second-half of life and some desire.

The players played with more freedom than they were allowed under Money’s miserable tenure.

They will enjoy their football and training far more under Hignett, with his positive outlook and spark.

“It was a good start, winning was the important thing after what’s gone on. It was important we started off on the front foot, but first-half we were a bit flat and not up to speed,’’ said the new chief.

“Then we showed loads of energy, got about better and picked up more second balls after the break.

“We made changes at half-time and at times first-half they linked up well going forward, but then putting Luke (James) on we knew he would run at goal all day long and stretch teams. Other players got on the ball in better areas and we looked better for it.

“There’s a better ending there after what happened at the end of Dagenham – the substitutes I made that day was well documented, but this time they worked.’’

James made all the difference. First-half and Nicke Kabamaba, for all his honestly and willingness, was left a bit isolated with Josh Hawkes and Luke Molyneux playing off him.

But alongside James, Kabamaba got a goal with a neat diving header and then won a penalty thanks to the persistence of James.

Hignett said: “Nicke is enjoying himself, it’s a new lease of life. He came up last week, played and scored and then got a really good goal this weekend, he should be feeling good right now.’’

Viewed as a right-winger by Money, Hignett sees the value in James’ drive and determination through the middle. If he can get him scoring in the manner he did before he left Pools when Hignett was coach in 2014, then there’s a real asset in the squad.

Pools didn’t get going first-half. They trailed to a neatly-taken finish from Justin Amaluzor strike after a free-kick was blocked and then clipped back into the area for the attacker to strike low across Scott Loach.

The visitors also hit the post, with Pools failing to make much impact in the penalty area.

To be fair to Money and the crowd, the former manager’s plea for patience may have been heeded as there was little of the fierce abuse so often dished out when Pools so often go behind.

But James’ arrival changed things. Kabamaba had a willing partner in crime.

Danny Amos delivered perfectly for the loan striker to head in and then James chased a seemingly lost cause down the flank. He forced two errors – one from the full-back in playing it short to the keeper, one from the keeper who didn’t know what to do under pressure – and then a third when Rob Atkinson bundled over Kabamaba in front of goal.

Josh Hawkes, sidelined by both Matthew Bates and Money this season, swept home the winning penalty.

Hignett said: “Josh is a good player, he’s played in the three games I’ve had this season so there you are. He is young and will be hit and miss at times, but he has quality and he’s going to be a top player.

“He will play higher than this, for sure. He scores goals and offers something different, but he needs to get fitter and I’ve told him that. No-one else here in the club can give you what he does. He gets between lines and has a great pass on him, he will get better and better and will develop until he is too good for us.’’

Pools didn’t have much bother in seeing the game out this time. There was a bit of injury time pressure from a corner, but it was dealt with.

The signing of Michael Raynes has helped the back line, with a voice and an organiser in there making a big difference.

Alongside him Peter Kioso was impressive. Another who Money wasn’t sure about – he once referred to him as a centre forward in a press conference – the young prospect competed well.

There’s enough in this squad to move into upper mid-table. Hardly cause for celebration and the pre-match notion that a home game against Braintree was a must-win game shows the sort of mess Hignett is picking up.

With a couple of additions this week, and Hignett’s approach offering more attacking output, then the final few weeks need not be a worry.