CRAIG HIGNETT feels too many of his players were not on their game as they started their season with a home defeat.

Pools went down  3-1 to Sutton United at Victoria Park, the reverse coming on the back of a positive summer which raised hopes of a big upturn in fortunes.

But they were two-down after just 23 minutes against opposition who suffered train delays on their trip to the North-East this morning.

And, while Gime Toure, got Pools back into the game with a strike in first-half injury time, they were unable to find a leveller and shipped a soft third deep into stoppage time at the end of the game.

“We had eight lads who were off it, moved the ball slowly and played against people which they don’t normally do,’’ reflected the manager.

“It was disappointing, and we had words at half-time. They came out and responded well, made loads of chances and penned them back.

“I fully expected us to get something after scoring, but we had too many who weren’t at it. The front three were average at best and off it, midfield they killed our space into the front men and we look ed a bit anxious at times.’’

Hignett, who has vowed to change the team for Tuesday’s game at Halifax, added: “It wasn’t a 3-1. The end when they sent players up front, centre-halves, wasn’t down to me and losing 3-1 looks like we were batted.

“We need to play quicker and better. Players like Rom has seen what it’s about now, it’s men’s football and you have to learn from it.’’

Kenton Richardson was carried off in the second half with an ankle injury and is likely to be missing for the next couple of games.

Hignett added: “Kenton turned his ankle, not a major one, but struggle for the next couple. He’s been a stand-out performer today and it’s a blow for him.’’

Sutton boss Matt Gray, after his first game in charge following his summer promotion, admitted: “It’s almost a perfect away performance – start of the second half wasn’t what I wanted, but to be going in at half time in front, our shape, pace and counter attack was exceptional.

“To concede in injury time, we had conceded almost 4,000 supporters down, to come in at 2-1 changed the momentum a bit.

“We couldn’t let it affect us, but it got them going as a team, as a club.

“Once we weathered it, we were compact and solid and to hit on the counter attack, I’m saying hit the corners, and score a third… shows what I know!’’

“We had a testing journey up here, with train delays but we didn’t let it affect us. The goal or their half-time team talk got them going.

“We had to stand up to that, but the back five were excellent.’’