'We know how hard it must be for fans'

It was by no means a classic, but Pools drew first blood in a tepid contest eight minutes before the break when David Ferguson, so often scapegoated this season but still an important part of the side despite his critics, produced an inventive finish to score his third goal of a challenging campaign after good work from Reyes Cleary, who was playing his final game of a blistering loan spell.

- Robbie Stelling

Pools spurned a gilt-edged chance to put the result beyond doubt 20 minutes from time when Mani Dieseruvwe missed from close range after a purposeful forward run from the influential Jamie Miley.

The frontman, who finished the season with 17 goals but might well have had more, looked destined to find the net but fluffed his lines and his effort trickled tamely into the arms of visiting goalkeeper Ted Cann.

In the end, that moment proved decisive as Pools, who finished the season in 11th, were denied all three points when substitute Christian Doidge latched onto Joe Quigley's header to nod home his 13th goal of the season.