By Simian
April 14 2002

Chris Turner said "Win our last five games and we can still do it" After four straight wins only Exeter remain between Pools and possible glory. History says that 71 points gets you into the play-offs. This season the maths may well be a little more complicated.

The facts are rather simple. We need to beat Exeter next Saturday in Devon. Failure will render the rest of this article meaningless. We currently lie in eighth place 2 points behind Shrewsbury and Rushden. Our goal difference means that we will qualify if we can equal either of these sides on points. Unfortunately we rely on others to ensure that one or both teams do not win next week. So what are the options?

Shrewsbury. Tricky one to second guess this and I don't mean working out whether Shrewsbury can keep 11 men on the pitch! They have a home game against Luton who are currently fighting Plymouth for the championship. Plymouth can seal the honour with a win at Darlington thus ensuring a meaningless game for Luton and making a victory for Shrewsbury more likely. The Darlow / Plymouth game therefore becomes vital. Prediction Shrews 1 Luton 1

Rushden & Diamonds. Away to Halifax, the question is which Halifax will turn up for their final (ever)league game? The team that rolled over 0-5 at Darlow or the battlers who beat Cheltenham 4-1 and Torquay 4-2. Rushden are having a severe nervous breakdown after throwing away a chance to seal it yesterday. Prediction Halifax 1 Rushden 2

If Pools can win at Exeter an outcome not yet guaranteed, these results will leave Hartlepool in 7th place with confidence sky-high. History has proved that the team that goes into the play-offs on the best run usually triumphs.

Play off semi's

Hartlepool v Mansfield
Rushden v Rochdale


Here's hoping...............