Hartlepool United midfielder hoping Pools can use recent hard-won momentum to propel themselves towards play-offs
Hartlepool United midfielder Nathan Sheron is hoping his side can use their recent hard-won momentum as Pools look to propel themselves towards the National League play-offs.
The 28-year-old scored his second goal of the season, firing a superb long range effort beyond experienced goalkeeper Nick Townsend with his weaker left foot, as Pools cruised past out of sorts Eastleigh 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to six matches on Saturday.
Having endured a difficult run of just one win in 11 matches that cost former manager Simon Grayson his job last month, Pools have been enjoying a resurgence under interim boss Nicky Featherstone.
Although Featherstone, who has now been in temporary charge for more than six weeks, endured a nightmarish start to life in the dugout as Pools were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity, things have taken a significant turn for the better since then.
While it's true that off-field problems that have long plagued Pools as well as ongoing instability haven't gone away overnight, Featherstone's side have at least managed to make impressive progress on the pitch.
Although draws with strugglers Sutton and Morecambe as well as part-time Wealdstone left something to be desired, wins over a resurgent Solihull Moors, play-off chasing Halifax as well as Saturday's victory over lacklustre Eastleigh have seen Pools revive their faltering play-off hopes.
Having looked set for another season of mid-table mediocrity, Pools have now closed to within five points of the play-off places, albeit seventh placed Southend as well as Scunthorpe, who are sixth and seven points clear, both have a game in hand.
Nonetheless, a run of winnable games, with Pools set to welcome bottom side Truro, who have lost eight and drawn two of their 10 matches on the road so far this term, and then Yeovil in the lead up to Christmas means Featherstone's side have a real chance of reducing the gap even further over the festive period.
The concern among many fans, however, is that the lingering uncertainty regarding who is set to be named the next permanent Pools boss could threaten to derail their impressive recent progress.
Although results haven't suffered so far, it's hard to imagine that the swirling rumour and speculation - Featherstone conceded to the press that he wasn't sure about his chances of becoming Grayson's successor - is likely to help the Pools cause the longer the situation drags on.
While some supporters have argued that Featherstone, who has spent more than a decade at Victoria Park and is the club's third highest appearance-maker of all-time, has done more than enough to be given the job on a permanent basis, last week's official "update" in which Pools revealed their hunt for a new boss "remains ongoing" despite applications from some "excellent candidates" hardly read like a vote of confidence in the veteran midfielder.
The Hartlepool Mail revealed on Monday that Pools had also held talks with former Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson, who appears to be the first choice among many fans having led the Robins from the Northern Premier League to the National League during a successful eight-year spell in Greater Manchester, and Chris Beech, who made more than 100 appearances at Victoria Park during his playing days, leading to further speculation that the club are still not convinced by Featherstone.
The playing squad, however, appear to have thrown their support behind the interim boss, with striker Alex Reid admitting he was "rooting for" him to get the job while Sheron said that Pools "really believe in" Featherstone.
All Pools - and, for that matter, Featherstone - can really do is focus on this weekend's visit of a Truro side who are notoriously poor on the road, with Sheron telling The Red Radio the squad are determined to use their recent momentum to propel themselves even closer to the play-off places.
"We're not getting ahead of ourselves," he said.
"That's the ambition, we've got a squad in there that knows we should be pushing for the play-offs.
"If we can keep in touching distance and keep picking up results, then let's see where we are come April and May.
"It's about momentum, we're disappointed we've dropped points in games we feel we should have won; we were obviously disappointed against Morecambe, we were disappointed against Sutton and I think we could have got three points against Wealdstone as well.
"If you look at that, there's six points dropped and we're in a completely different space.
"If we can keep winning games and being competitive - just the feel of the way we've been playing, it feels miles better - then we'll give ourselves a chance.
"It's a team effort, George (Evans) and the back four have been brilliant up to Reidy (Alex Reid) up top; everyone's pushing for the same goal."