Nicky Featherstone is looking forward to Hartlepool United getting points

Featherstone came within a whisker of leading Pools into the hat for last night’s fourth round draw for the FA Cup.

Pools were set for a third-round replay at Derby County a week tonight, only for Darren Bent’s late winner to oust Ronnie Moore’s side 2-1 at Victoria Park.

Following the near-miss against the Championship high-fliers, Pools now return to League Two action this Saturday.

Moore’s side host Wycombe Wanderers in a crucial match - their first in the division sine December 19.

A combination of factors, four defeats in a row, a spate of postponements and an upturn in fortunes for Dagenham & Redbridge and Yeovil have brought Pools worryingly close to the drop zone.

Pools have dropped down to 21st, three points above Yeovil who are second bottom, and one point better off than the Daggers.

However, Pools do have four games in hand on both clubs, three on Newport who are alongside them on 20 points and five on Stevenage who have seven points more.

Featherstone, who skippered the side against the Rams, told SportMail: “We know what we’ve got to do.

“We’re still above three teams in the table, and we’ve got four games in hand on Yeovil and Dagenham and three on York.

“A couple of wins and we could be 10 points clear again.

“There is a belief in the squad and a great work ethic among the staff and players.

“We’re all working to put things right.”

Pools have not won since beating Leyton Orient 3-1 in front of the Sky Sports cameras on November 15.

However, since that super Sunday success, Pools have played almost as many cup games as League Two matches.

They have lost to promotion chasers Mansfield, Oxford, Portsmouth and Plymouth in the league, the Pilgrims only beating them thanks to a late winner.

Wycombe come to the Vic in great heart.after heaping more misery on Aston Villa by drawing 1-1 with the Premier League’s bottom club on Saturday in the FA Cup third round.

The Chairboys are in the play-off spots in sixth in the table and they boast the meanest defence on the road in the division, conceding only seven times in 11 awaydays.