MIKE Newell last night insisted Hartlepool United's spirit will see them through this season.

Pool have had a 14-point lead at the top of the table reduced to just one in recent weeks after managing one win in eight games.

And if Eifion Williams hadn't netted a late leveller at Kidderminster on Saturday, Pool would have been knocked off the top for the first time in 2003.

Rushden are pushing Pool all the way and the sides meet in what could be a title decider on the last day of the season at Nene Park.

But Newell said: "I've got a great bunch of lads here. They all want to do well for each other - we all want the same thing at the club.

"I think you could see that by the reaction of everyone when we scored, including the lads who weren't involved.

"We were away for a few days last week at Lilleshall and that was a good break, but the only reason to do it was to try to freshen things up a little bit.

"What has happened lately might be down to nerves. We don't know, but we are not the same team we were a couple of months ago.''

Newell added: "Getting a draw like we did was great. You don't want to be going into your home games under pressure.

"We cannot influence what Rushden do or how they shape up - but who is to say they aren't going to slip up or go through a bad spell?''

Rushden boss Brian Talbot said: "We've got five games to go and we've got to look to win them all. It's completely in our own hands.

"All we can concentrate on is our own results.''

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