CRAIG HIGNETT admitted he was delighted with his players as they made it four games unbeaten since he took over.

Hartlepool United drew 0-0 at Ebbsfleet last night, the point coming on the back of a 4-0  win at Boreham Wood at the weekend.

Hignett has improved Pools’ outlook no end since taking over from Richard Money last month and admitted: “We have set the standard and have to make sure we don’t let it drop. They have done it over a number of games now and that’s the benchmark now. We go to every game, prepare and put the effort in and see where it takes us.

“The lads are all confident and we should have had more points than the eight in four games and it could have been 12 easily. We could have got this won and we are always trying to get better.’’

Pools showed they can match physical opponents last night, as they competed against a strong and direct team. 

Hignett was delighted with the performance of Aaron Cunningham in the middle of the back three and had praise for Myles Anderson alongside him.

“I can’t praise the lads enough collectively,’’ he said. “The back three have been immense and Myles Anderson has been brilliant the last few weeks when he has had to stand up.

“Aaron comes in for his second game and looks like he’s been there forever.

“We had a succession of corners art the end and I wanted our lads to get in the box and get on the end of them to nod one in. It wasn’t to be, but second-half we were the better team and it was a really good performance for a 0-0.’’

Pools had the best chance of the game in the latter stages when Nicke Kabamba’s shot was kept out of the top corner by keeper Nathan Ashmore.  The save denied the loan striker a sixth goal in five outings for Pools since moving from Havant and Waterlooville. 

Hignett added on BBC Tees: “It was a terrific point and I’m a little disappointed we didn’t nick three. What they do they are really good at - getting the ball forward, being aggressive. 

“The save from their keeper from Nicke Kabamaba in the top corner was world-class.’’

Pools: Loach, Donaldson, Kioso, Cunningham, Anderson, Amos (Kitching 86), Featherstone, Noble, Hawkes (Molyneux 68), James (Muir 90), Kabamba.