So exactly where do Pools go from here?

2:03am Monday 5th May 2008

TWELVE months ago today, on the final day of the season, Hartlepool United and Walsall had everything to play for.

The League Two title was going to one of the clubs after they scrapped it out at the top of the table all season.

Step forward a year and, as the sides met to bring the season down, on their League One campaigns, it was a different story.

Amid an entertaining 2-2 draw, which Pools dominated for long periods and secured a late point with a James Brown goal, there's plenty for both to chew over.

Both are surrounded by uncertainty, both have gone through mixed fortunes this season, and neither is happy with the outcome of the 46-game programme. For both, the season - on a competitive front - ended a few games before the official end.

Walsall have parted company with their manager; Pools may yet do so.

Pools chairman Ken Hodcroft last week revealed that "the necessary corrections" would be made to ensure that next season is an improvement on this one.

To what extent he is prepared to go remains to be seen, although he's never stopped shy of making decisive changes.

Wilson said: "There will always be speculation, but only the chairman can answer that."

The Pools boss now aims to press on with his building - or rebuilding - for next season, starting talks with his out of contract players and those on who the club has the option of extending their deals.

It's club policy that all contract negotiations are on hold until the end of the campaign and Wilson said: "It remains to be seen which players will be here next season, we will know in the next week or so who we are allowed to keep and who will be leaving.

"I will be very surprised if there's not new faces in but again we will have to wait and see.

"It's not a comment I can really give you at this moment in time.

"But there are always difficult decisions about who is staying. We have got to try and get better than we have got this season. What we have got in the club is some good players, but we have got to try and get better and hopefully help the players that are at the club already to get better results than we have had this season.''

Pools showed on Saturday the traits which have characterised their season. They conceded a couple of slack goals, enjoyed the lion's share of possession, created many chances - enough to win two games - and didn't take enough of them.

That was, until the last minute. With their season looking like it would end with another defeat - loss number 23, half the season, was on the cards.

But Brown took a pass from Andy Monkhouse turned and netted his 13th of the season.

It's not cause to end the season with a smile, but at least it was some deserved and light relief for players and supporters alike.

That wasn't the case after some 15 minutes. Pools were two goals down and, playing with a three-man midfield and three-man forward line, Wilson's side were overran at times.

Michael Mackay's neat and tidy volley, a sixth goal of the season for the former Consett man in his first full campaign in the professional game, offered a quick lifeline.

Walsall did waste some decent openings, but Pools made the most of the second half.

Every time Walsall cleared, the ball was picked up by a blue and white shirt, passed around and an opening was created.

Brown's goal was just reward.

"It was a good performance and at least we came away with something,'' added Wilson.

"The first two shots they had ended up in the back of the net and that's the story of what has happened to us too many times, but at least we got something out of the game.

"We have come back and shown a great resilience and the attacking options were good as well at times.

"Maybe the decisions in the final third could have been a bit better at times, but we can't complain too much.

"We've come away with a good point from being two down and that's not happened too many times this year.''

Pools have only gained 13 points from games they have been behind in, and it's that soft underbelly to the side which Wilson needs to eradicate for next season.

After finishing an unflattering 15th, Wilson admitted: "I don't think there has been a great deal between any of the teams in the division quite honestly.

"The ones who have gone on a run have been successful. We haven't been anywhere near that, but again, that type of performance is what we have out in all season.

"It's been very similar in most games. There is nothing in the division quite honestly, so there is nothing to fear next year.

"Hopefully we will get a bit more quality in certain areas.''

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