SKIPPER Micky Barron last night hailed his stand-in after Graeme Lee led Pool to the Division Three play-offs.

Barron watched Saturday's win at Exeter from the stands after failing to recover from a knee wound sustained in the early stages of last week's 7-1 win over Swansea.

The captain trained on Wednesday, but knew he wasn't fit enough for Saturday's make or break trip to the south west.

Barron joined his non-playing teammates in the stand and said: "It wasn't too bad to watch. They had a game plan and were going to be dangerous, but the back four were excellent.

"I thought Spike was absolutely brilliant and blocked out their threat. We were in contact with the fans and we knew what was going on and we were quite relaxed towards the end.

"Everyone was jubilant on Saturday, but we haven't done anything yet and we have to get to the final. We have done really well to get here, but it might be our year to get there.

"It has been really disappointing in the past because we have lost the first games 2-0 and never really had a chance in the second-leg.

"We need to be going into the second game having a chance of progressing.

"We need to be going to Cheltenham with something to aim for. We lost 3-0 there not long ago, but we could have been in front by half-time. I'm sure the gaffer has his thoughts on formations and how the game will go.

"I wouldn't have fancied playing Rushden because they score a lot of goals, probably Rochdale would have been the best one to have. But we know we can beat anybody at home and I think that will be the biggest game when we are at home.''

And now Barron is desperate to be fit for Saturday's encounter. "If I am honest, it wouldn't have been fair on the lads to have played,'' he admitted.

"There's the psycological thing about it as well. If I got a knock or if someone clattered into me, it would probably pop open again.

"I didn't want to play, come off after 20 minutes and use up a substitute as well. Looking ahead, I was thinking if we get into the play-offs I want to be fit for that.

"I had the stitches taken out on Saturday and I want to be fit for that. Hopefully it will heal alright and if I do get a knock, it will be OK.''

Pool were backed by around 1,000 fans at St James' Park and Barron was quick to praise the support.

"They were brilliant - even the lads who weren't playing were given a great response. The players want to do it for them.

"We wanted to give them something to cheer and we did that and it was a case of see what happends with other results.

"Being realistic we always fancied Luton to do us a favour rather than Halifax and that's how it worked out.

"I spoke to Stevie Howard a few times during the week and he wanted to win because he wanted to win the Golden Boot.

"He has done us a favour so I'll buy him a couple of beers next time I see him.''

* Saturday's game was James Coppinger's last in a Pool shirt as his three-month loan spell from Newcastle has come to an end. The forward would like to stay at Victoria Park on a permanent basis, but any deal depends on securing his release from Newcastle.

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