Nicky Featherstone names his final Hartlepool United XI ahead of Boston United test

Nicky Featherstone - who departs as Pools boss after today’s final round of National League fixtures - has named his final Hartlepool United XI for the trip to Boston United.

Adam Smith starts in goal for the final game of the campaign, replacing Nick Hayes who is out of contract this summer. In total Featherstone has made four changes with Reiss McNally - who was a doubt after two starts recently following a lengthy lay-off - and Tyrese Sinclair also missing. In come Smith, Tom Parkes and Matty Daly along with teenager Jay Sway who impressed off the bench in the dramatic 4-3 win over Southend United in midweek.

HUFC XI: Smith, Benn, Parkes, Kouogun, Sheron, Daly, Sway, Hunter, Miley, Campbell, Reid.

Subs: Conyard, Ferguson, Johnson, Folarin, Oliver, Caton, Walker.

What has Nicky Featherstone said pre-match?

Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone admitted his side have ‘fallen short’ of one of their key targets for the season - but stressed his players can reflect on a ‘great effort’ if they can secure all three points from Saturday’s trip to Boston United.

The Pools stalwart will oversee the final game of his managerial reign against the Pilgrims after it was confirmed he will step down from the role following a review by advisory firm Bromby and Partners. After taking interim charge following the departure of former boss Simon Grayson, an initial upturn in form led to Featherstone being handed the managerial role on a permanent basis and his target was to land a National League play-off spot. However, any thoughts of a top seven spot have been ended by some underwhelming results in recent weeks and the outgoing Pools boss has admitted his side have fallen short of the initial target they were set.

Speaking to BBC Tees Sport, Featherstone said: “If we can finish on 71 points, that would be a remarkable points tally from where we were. There is not a lot to play for. There is for me personally, I am desperate for that 71 points. I think that’s like a really good tally after what we took over.

“For me personally, I want to finish as high as possible, I want to finish in eighth. I want to finish on 71 points, that’s the aim for us, that has to be the aim for this group. We had a points tally when I took over that we thought we’d need to get into the play-offs. We thought it would be a bit more this year with how the teams have went. We thought it would be around 75 or 76 and we have fallen short of the tally we wanted. But to get to 71 if we win tomorrow would be a great effort involved.”

Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United have 'fallen short' this season - but Nicky Featherstone remains proud