John Hughes upbeat despite Hartlepool United loss

First-team coach John Hughes has seen positive signs from his Hartlepool United players despite Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Oldham.

Hughes's opening game in charge ended in a 5-0 defeat by Coventry City on Saturday, but Pools were unfortunate to come away without a point in midweek.

"On Saturday we went a goal down and I could visibly see heads go down," Hughes told BBC Tees.

"Tonight, we stayed spirited and galvanised and still in the game."

He continued: "To get the equaliser I thought we could go on and win the match, but the sending off [of Neil Austin] changed the game.

"It's what we do on Saturday now."

Jose Baxter's late strike, after goalkeeper Scott Flinders had saved the initial penalty, extended Pools' winless run to 18 games, after Antony Sweeney had earlier cancelled out the Latics opener.

"It was so unlucky for Jack Baldwin with the penalty, you'll never see me point the finger at him," Hughes added.

"He's going to be a star for this football club, a real star.

"I'll keep around about him, and make sure he learns from it and becomes better for it."