HARTLEPOOL United go to Swindon on Saturday confident their away form will be good enough to see them through.

Pool need to avoid defeat - or hope Port Vale lose at Rushden - to secure a play-off spot.

A draw would be enough for both teams, but there won't be a carve-up to secure the right outcome.

Pool have won more away games than anyone else in the division and skipper Ritchie Humphreys said: "Our away form has been fantastic and the fans who follow us away from home will appreciate it.

"We've got the best away record in the league and it's something we can be very proud of. Since we lost at QPR in December, we have never looked back and since then it's been great - credit to all the boys.

"No-one ever thought this season would be easy, but with a game to go we are sixth and in with a great shout of the play-offs.''

This is the fourth season out of five when Pool have gone into the last day with a chance of glory.

Losing at home last Saturday to Plymouth means the race for a top six spot goes to the final game and Humphreys admitted: "It is right down to the wire, but I guess no-one thought we would still be in this position come the end of the season. Early on in the season, you win one game and go up five places, it's not like that now - we knew it was always going to be tight, but not this tight though.

"It was a bit of a blow when we heard what happened with Port Vale scoring at the death. Whatever is happening, you always want to end your home campaign with a win and give the fans something to go away with. We didn't perform badly on Saturday, we gave away three bad goals and against the champions, it's something you cannot do.

"Plymouth were like QPR, so clinical and when you come up against the better teams in the division, they are always going to punish you. It's an exciting time for us all again, we always seem to be involved in drama right to the end of the season. It's been a great season and no one can take that away from us.'' Cooper, meanwhile, missed out on the manager of the month award for April. The honour went to Tranmere's Brian Little, who earned a point more than Cooper during the month.

Nationwide spokesman Chris Hull said: "It was very, very tough, there was only one point in it.

"We looked at other factors such as goals scored and Hartlepool were on top. But Tranmere conceded less and had a better goal difference for the month."

There could, though, be some recognition heading Pool's way. Adam Boyd scored more goals than any other Nationwide League player last month and is in line for the leading scorer award, which will be announced later today.

Read more about Hartlepool here.