‘It’s out of our control’ – Dave Challinor assesses Hartlepool United's top three prospects ahead of Weymouth clash

Pools currently sit fourth in the table and host Weymouth at Victoria Park on May 29 (12:30pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, third placed Stockport County travel to Yeovil Town and fifth placed Notts County visit play-off chasing Bromley.

To finish third, Pools will have to beat Weymouth and hope Stockport drop points at Huish Park. But should they lose to The Terras for the second time this season and Notts win at Bromley then Dave Challinor’s side will drop to fifth.

Sunday’s defeat at Sutton United took Pools’ chance of finishing in the top three and securing a home play-off semi-final out of their hands, much to the disappointment of their manager.

“We wanted to go into the last day with it in our hands because we knew with the way goal difference was that the reality of finishing third was only in our hands if we won [at Sutton],” Challinor said.

“We’ve not won and it’s out of our control. We want to put in a good performance and make sure we win the game at the weekend and see what that entails.

"Regardless of it being two games or three games, the games are going to be like that [at Sutton]. It doesn’t matter where they’re going to be played, they’re going to be edgy and nervy games and you’ve got to do the basics well and put your stamp on the game.

"When that does happen, you need a bit of luck and hopefully stick your opportunities away.”

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