But the recently-installed head coach insists he can see a victory on the horizon.
Pools have improved in recent weeks but it is now 20 games since their last victory - their only one of the season coming on September 1.
Goals in each half from Marcus Haber and Lucas Akins separated the sides, but Pools were unable to make the most of the stack of chances they created from start to finish.
"I refuse to talk about luck and decisions going against us," said Hughes. "I applaud efforts and commitments. I've seen that all week in training and their effort in training and how they have gone about it in tough conditions.
"Two disappointments - the result and the goals we conceded. It's a shame we didn't play the same football second half as we did in the first.
"I wanted the supporters to see us having a go and we did. There's frustration throughout and we will build on the first-half performance.
"There will be comings and goings and we will be spinning plates, but I want to bring success here. They gave me an opportunity here, the supporters are behind me and there's a good sense of warmth here."
