FOLLOWING a first loss of the season last week, Mick Wadsworth is expecting a instant and positive response from his Hartlepool United players.

Defeat to Sheffield Wednesday was their only stain on a healthy start to the season which has earned 19 points from ten games.

They go to Notts County on Sunday, in a game televised live on Sky Sports, wary of what happened at Meadow Lane last season.

After four successive December victories, when Wadsworth won the manager of the month award, they were rolled over 3-0, a result that started a spell of six winless games.

They could have gone third if they had triumphed that day and Wadsworth, expected to be pipped for the September manager of the month award after he was shortlisted this week, admitted: "It's not about how you lose, it's how you bounce back.

"All teams do it, it's about the response and a measure of character, personality, mentality and strength of the squad how we respond.

"Last year we lost at Notts County in early January and it started a poor run for us when we had some difficult games and poor results after a great run through December.

"It's important to show we are better than that and recover well from one loss.

"Notts have had a very good start, in a very similar position to us. Martin Allen is in for the manager of the month - along with some others - and they have some very experienced players.

"They have played some good football and Martin is big on motivation.''

As well as Wadsworth's nomination, goalkeeper Scott Flinders is also shortlisted for the September player of the month honour.

Sam Collins doubled up with Wadsworth in winning at the back end of last year.

Five wins in September means Pools have two in contention again and Wadsworth said: "I wasn't surprised to hear I'd been nominated, we had a good month.

"But it's not an individual award, it's a group thing, a collective effort.

"It's not me, it's down to player and fans as well. It was a good month. We played less games than Preston and Notts who have a better points record and cup games as well. But it's nice to be recognised as a club and I'm sure Scott will say the same and put his nomination down to the rest of the team.

"I've won three or four awards in the past and if you have won a few games then statistics aren't on your side are they? If you have won five or six games in a row then statistically you aren't likely to win the next one. It's one of those things and viewed as a kiss of death, which I don't see it like that.''

Pools were yesterday fined £2,500 by an FA comission. They were proven to have failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the win at Bournemouth on September 24.

Pools denied the charge and requested a non personal hearing, but were found guilty. A club statement said Pools find it ''pointless to appeal''.

Pools game at Sheffield United on New Year's Eve has been brought forward to a 1pm kick-off.