Hartlepool United duo Craig Hignett and Jake Carroll up for League Two awards

March was only Hignett's first full month in the job but after helping transform Hartlepool's fortunes, he is among four bosses in the frame for League Two's manager of the month award.

And left-back Carroll, who joined the club last summer, has produced a string of impressive performances down the left flank during the recent unbeaten run.

After defeat at Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the month, Hignett’s men hit back in style with a 3-1 win at Barnet followed-up by a 3-1 triumph over Dagenham back at Victoria Park.

They followed that up with back-to-back goalless draws on the road at Newport County and Crawley Town and a determined 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on home soil.

The best result of the month came away at Leyton Orient, with Hignett's side beating play-off chasing Orient 2-0, extending the unbeaten run to six games and securing a fourth consecutive clean sheet in almost a decade.

Carroll has played a key role in helping Pools keep it tight at the back while also scoring his first goal for the club in the win over Dagenham and also assisted in the games at Barnet and Orient.

Hignett is up against former Pools favourite Darrell Clarke who has guided Bristol Rovers to a near-perfect month, while Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale and Yeovil Town’s Darren Way are also in contention.

Meanwhile, the other players in competition with Carroll are Bristol Rovers’ Matty Taylor, Northampton Town’s John-Joe O’Toole and Oxford United’s Kemar Roofe.

A judging panel will now decide on both awards.