PETER Hartley echoed Mick Wadsworth's sentiments in insisting Hartlepool United's players are determined not to let the season peter out.

Pools have surpassed most expectations by hitting the 54-point barrier to remain in League One for next season as the bottom six teams are left to fight for their futures.

But centre-half Hartley, part of the side that went down 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, accepts that a large number of players are playing for their own futures at Victoria Park.

"Mick said he was going to give some lads a chance who haven't played that much and perhaps you could tell that on Saturday because we didn't really click like we have done,'' he said.

"That's going to happen towards the end of the season, we've just got to make sure we bounce back and get a result on Friday and finish our season on a high.

"We're fighting for our livelihoods so we definitely are interested.

"There's only Evan Horwood and Andy Rafferty who aren't out of contract this summer.

"So everyone else has to keep working hard because we're playing for our futures.''

Hartley has improved this season since being given a run in the side in his preferred spot in the middle of the back four.

And he accepts that progress is largely down to the belief shown in him by Wadsworth.

"There's going to be players coming and going in the summer and you do your best to impress Mick because he's going to make the decisions - you don't want to be out of work in the summer,'' he said.

"I'm delighted more than anything that Mick's the first manager who has given me the chance to play in my proper position.

"He's trusted me and I can't thank him enough for that.

"I'm just trying to repay that trust by working really hard on the pitch for him.

"I've always had belief that I'm good enough to play in this league and hopefully move on to better things in the future, if I keep improving. I've always thought that given the chance to play in the centre of the defence I'd improve as a player.

"I've really enjoyed this season. There's been a few ups and downs but you've got to learn from mistakes and cut them out - but that's why we're in League One and not in the Premier League.''