THE only certainty about the Easter programme in League One was the uncertainty - and not just Hartlepool United's, writes Nick Loughlin.

Pool only managed a single point in games with Huddersfield and Blackpool, but they weren't alone in failing to make the most of the double header. Luton were the only team directly in the promotion chase - the top seven - to win a game.

After being thumped at home to Barnsley on Good Friday, they won 4-1 at Torquay 48 hours later.

The rest? Hull one point, Tranmere one point, Sheffield Wednesday one point, Pool one point, Bournemouth nil points, Brentford one point.

It sounds more like the tail end of results in the Eurovision Song Contest than a race for promotion.

Pool are in the midst of a run mirroring that of two years ago, when, from a seemingly invincible position, they failed to win the Division Three title.

Then it was a run of only 15 points from 39 proved costly, but the overall aim of promotion was achieved.

This time, it's a run of ten points from 30 as Pool have failed to press home the advantage they held.

The malaise among the teams in the play-off zone has given the outsiders hope of making the end of season shake-up.

When Pool won at Bradford two weeks ago, Bantams' boss Colin Todd said that his side's hopes of the top six were over; now they are only three points off sixth spot.

Today's game with Swindon is, for Pool, one they can't afford to lose because defeat will give the visitors every encouragement for the run-in - leaving them only two points behind.

Pool go to Bournemouth on the last day of the season and the way things are going give the impression that the game could be every bit as vital and as nerve-wracking as the final day of last season. Pool have made the play-offs in four of the last five seasons and it's boiled down to the last day on three occasions.