IF Hartlepool United are celebrating a place in the play-offs come 5pm today, maybe it will be time to spare a thought for Barry Fry.

The rent-a-quote Peterborough boss helped put Pool on the road to a top-six finish way back in August when the season was about to start and Pool were heading for the unknown waters of Division Two.

As Pool prepared for an opening day at London Road, a word or two from Fry proved an inspiration as Neale Cooper's side won 4-3.

A point today against Plymouth at Victoria Park and a play-off place is secured, not a bad feat for the team who were tipped for the drop last August.

Instead of Pool fighting to avoid the drop, it's Fry's Posh side who have struggled to avoid relegation all season.

Pool defender Micky Nelson is back in contention for a start after recovering from a foot injury and admitted: "To get in the play-offs is an unbelievable achievement. Teams who get promoted are always written off the next season and that was the case with us.

"But since the first day of the season, everything has gone well.

"We were travelling to Peterborough for the first game and we read in the paper that Barry Fry had been writing us off. We used that as a spur on day one and it's gone on from there.

"We've only lost two games back-to-back all season and since we lost to Brighton and Brentford, we've never looked back.

"Five in a row is a fantastic achievement and what a time to do it. It's all down to us. We've got quite a gap now below us and a couple of teams dropped points last weekend, which helped us.''

Nelson missed five games after suffering a foot injury in the home defeat to Brentford on March 27.

He returned as a substitute in last week's win at Rushden, but knows he faces a battle to lodge Mark Tinkler from the back four.

Nelson had been an ever-present until his injury and said: "I had a quarter of an hour or so last week, so it's nice to be back in the squad. Now I want to get back in the team.

"Tinks has done really well in there, so I know it will be hard. Every time he has dropped in there this season he has done well.

"The last couple of weeks haven't been that bad for me because I have known I am on the way back.

"When I did the injury, I thought my season was over, so it's a bonus to be involved.

"It's not nice watching from the sidelines but it's easier when the lads are doing well and getting some good results.

"When the play-offs are coming up and you have played all season, of course you want to be back in for the big games.''

Last week's win was Pool's tenth on the road, a club record, and they boast the best away record in the division, losing just twice away from Victoria Park since December 13.

Nelson, who was player of the year at Bury last season and among the contenders for the Pool honour this season, said: "We took a hell of a lot of fans to Rushden last week and they made all the noise, you can see how much they are enjoying things.

"We've won five in a row and it's not a bad habit to get into. Hopefully, we can win two more and then who knows. If we get in the play-offs we have a few more games to come, so let's keep the run going.

"Our away form has been brilliant this season, especially since Christmas.

"It's probably a few points dropped at home which have cost us.

"We have Swindon away on the last day and we could end up playing them three games in a row if you include the play-offs. But we beat them at home and, with our away form, we don't have to be scared of anyone. We would fancy our chances against anyone to be honest.''

Plymouth are resting a number of their championship-winning side today, but boss Bobby Williams said: "I hope they don't think we are coming to make the numbers up.

"Hopefully, the guys who are selected can give a good account of themselves..''

Today's game is a sell-out - Pool's second of the season following the visit of Sheffield Wednesday last October. Fans are told to keep their stubs in case they are needed for play-off tickets.

* Pool keeper Anthony Williams could yet complete a permanent move to Stockport, which would allow him to play in goal at Bournemouth this afternoon.

Although Williams' three-month loan spell at Edgeley Park expired last Saturday, County can sign him permanently as they held his registration on transfer deadline-day. He has already negotiated his release from Pool and was due to sign a one-year contract this week, only for County to renege on the deal.

Coach Mark Lillis said: "We're still negotiating and there's a chance he can play at Bournemouth. We're taking him so we'll have to wait and see."

Read more about Hartlepool here.