NATHAN THOMAS admits a fatigue has affected the Hartlepool United squad of late.

After an eight-game unbeaten run in March, Pools have now lost their last three games, the latest 2-0 at home to Portsmouth on Saturday.

And Thomas, who was in sincillating form during that run of success, feels the effort put into the run which pushed Pools away from the foot of the table has caught up with them.

“The past three or four months has definitely taken its toll. We haven’t got that little extra yard that we had four weeks ago when we went on that eight-game run,’’ he admitted.

“To get us safe as early as we did was a monumental achievement but it took it out of us all. We’re just unlucky that the teams we’ve been coming up against lately are top of the league.

“We’re not far off them though. We created three or four really good chances and on a good day, when we’re on a run of form, they all go in.

“You can see when we play the Oxfords, the Accringtons they have that little bit of extra quality, whereas against the Morecambes and Barnets they don’t take their chances as much. But that’s why they are top of the league.’’

Pools finish their campaign at Plymouth on Saturday, one of Thomas’ former clubs.

And he is confident of a bright season ahead next time out.

He said: “As long as we keep working hard, we’ll get better at what we’re doing. We did the hard work, grafted for months to save the club and keep us in the Football League.

“Maybe we took out foot off the gas a little bit. We’re so close to being a really top team in the league. We’re not far off, maybe one or two percent. That’s what the top teams have, those fine little margins.

“I’m sure next season we’ll be absolutely flying.

“League Two is one of them leagues where anybody can beat anybody. The difference between getting promoted and being mid-table is defending your six-yard box really well and have that cutting edge up front.

“Hopefully next season we can nail down those fine margins and have a real good go because we’re not far away.’’