Defeat marks record for Pools

OVER the past 12 years, plenty of new club landmarks have been achieved at Hartlepool United. All good ones.

The days of unwanted stigmas were, it appeared, in the past.

Yet on Saturday, the class of 2012 set a new benchmark as they made it 21 games without a win.

And in doing so they eclipsed the efforts of the 1993 team in the process.

Pools weren’t expected to avoid defeat at MK Dons on Saturday, but, after going one down, it was some comfort that they didn’t – as they are more than capable of doing – crumble and ship four, five or six goals.

A single scrappy victory this season, over Scunthorpe at Victoria Park on September 1, is a bit of an embarrassment for this group of players.

“We could have stolen something from the match,’’ reflected boss John Hughes.

“I’m just pleased we had a go in the second half and went down fighting.

“At least we gave the supporters something to be happy about in the second half.’’ Just like the team they surpassed in club memoirs, this isn’t the worst group of players Pools have had.

Plenty of them have had success and been part of success.

The mainstays of the 1993 team – Brian Honour, Andy Saville, John MacPhail – are all looked upon favourably.

It’s the same this time around with the current squad and proves it’s harder to get out of a rut than to fall into one.

Hughes, the third coach in charge during this pitiful sequence, is stamping his mark on the team.

Basics such as team shape, discipline and organisation are now being adhered to and they stuck to their task in the face of MK Dons adversity.

At one time, the home side had held 65 per cent possession at Stadium: MK. But Pools did grow into the game as it progressed.

A dire first-half was more akin to a training exercise at times. MK Dons passed it from the back, created chances and Pools defended.

The only goal came when Pools headed away a free-kick, Darren Potter returned it over the advancing defenders into the path of Ryan Lowe who scored.

Pools reacted by appealing for offside, claiming Lowe was behind the away players when the ball was played to him.

Replays, however, showed he made the most of a wonky defensive line, with Jack Baldwin the last man out and so playing Lowe into the game.

“I questioned their goal and I thought it was offside but I have to say the fourth officials in England listen to you and take your viewpoint,’’ said Hughes. “So when I saw the replay after the game I realised it was onside.

“I was man enough to go to the referee’s room and shake the linesman’s hand and say it was a good decision and offered my apologies.

“That’s football, you have to take it on the chin.’’ Hughes has suffered four defeats in his five games in charge, picking up a sole point at Walsall.

With successive games to come against two other struggling teams in Portsmouth and Carlisle, maybe it’s a decent chance for Pools to win a game at last?

Relegation isn’t really mentioned, but it’s fair to say Pools will be in League Two next season.

And Hughes is already implementing his ideas and stamp on the squad as part of his long-term plan.

After a turgid opening half in which Pools had one shot to MK Dons 12, both sides showed some more attacking intent after the break.

Pools one chance in the first 45 came when Jon Franks latched into Baldwin’s deft pass and he tried to lift the ball over keeper David Martin, only to tamely lob it into his mits.

After the break, it was more of the same from the home side as they forced the game.

Three times balls were fired right across and into the sixyard area as Pools escaped and on one occasion a goalbound shot was blocked his Antonio Balanta. Late on and Darren Potter stuck the crossbar.

Pools’ best chance came when Charlie Wyke was put through, but fired too close to Martin.

For Hughes, watching MK Dons play keepball at times was an indicator of how he wants his side to play.

“As a coach you have to realise the way a game is going and I might have got it wrong tactically in the first half,’’ he admitted.

“But that’s building on where we want to go as a club.

“If I can make Hartlepool as good as MK Dons then I would have done a wonderful job at this football club.

“That’s what we have to strive towards. You have to be honest that we got quite fortunate.

“They hit the underside of the bar and Scott Flinders was magnificent – he must have made about five or six great saves.

“If you look at MK Dons then I’d say that’s the way I want my football to be played.

“We’re miles away from that but it gives you a good blueprint to work towards.

“But I’m the manager of Hartlepool and I’m a realist. I have to win football matches to give us a fighting chance of staying in this league.’