RITCHIE Humphreys knows all about the low blows play-offs can deliver. Two years ago, the Hartlepool United favourite was disconsolate after his missed penalty meant Pool were dumped out of contention at Cheltenham.

But despite the personal misery suffered at Whaddon Road in 2002, Humphreys admits Wednesday's hammer blow at Bristol City hurt the most.

Pool were minutes away from a place in the final in Cardiff a week on Sunday as they led at Ashton Gate through Tony Sweeney's header.

Yet, they conceded twice in the closing minutes which saw their season come to a dramatic and disappointing end.

He admitted: "It's been an unbelievable season, we have all put so much effort in. We have come so far and came so close to the first division - it's a sickener.

"It's destroying for all the lads - and not just the lads playing, there's those on the bench, those in the squad and those who have left this season as well.

"Everyone deserves credit for getting us in the position, but we can stand up and say we have been there.

"We have gone so close, minutes away. There was plenty of injury time, they scored one and got a massive lift and the momentum took them forward.''

Pool's season looked ready for an extension to May 30 and Humphreys added: "It's hard to accept the season is over. We should have had another game to go, but there's no more training now, that's it.

"The club and the players have come on so much this season and really developed.

"There's a lot of tired people -- some have played 45-50 games this season, so a rest will do us good, but it will take some time to get over this disappointment.''

Humphreys was angry after several Pool players were jostled and pushed by home fans who invaded the pitch on the final whistle.

Some players escaped to the sanctuary of the dressing room, while the others were stuck at the far end of the pitch with police protecting their safety.

After the pitch was eventually cleared, all the players and staff returned to applaud the fans and Humphreys said: "The fans have been unbelievable for us, but how the whole end to the game was handled was disgraceful.

"We were safe behind the police line, four or five of us were stuck there close to our fans. But we wanted them all to wait so all the lads could come back out and say thank-you.

"The police wanted to put a bubble around us and walk us off. Some lads were pushed and shoved at the end when the fans came on and it's wrong.

"Then they won't let the other boys out to see our fans, some fans had to leave and get away, so we couldn't show our appreciation for them. We want them all to know what they mean to us.''

The FA will await the referee's report before considering taking action, but the home club could be charged with failing to control their fans.

Pool boss Neale Cooper cut a tearful figure at Ashton Gate. He was devastated at the final whistle, but declared he was proud of his players.

He said: "It's hard to take, but the vital thing for me was losing two key players at vital times.

"(Micky) Barron and (Chris) Westwood have been fantastic for us and to lose them both in such a short space of time had a big impact.

"If it was a school report, then I would say they have done very well this season. I am a proud man, I promise you that.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came here, but everything that has gone on has made me proud.

"What the players, fans and everyone at the club has done for me has been immense. I cannot thank them all enough.

"The players are devastated and no-one can say they didn't give it their best shot. We have proved a lot of people wrong.

"Look at the reaction of Bristol City at the end - you would have thought they have beat the best team in the world.

"There was a group of upset players in the dressing room and I was one of them myself. But they can be proud of what they have achieved.''

Read more about Hartlepool here.