Players deserve credit for top half finish says Boston United boss Paul Hurst

It was a far cry from January when Hurst came in to replace Graham Coughlan with the Pilgrims in 17th place, five games without a win and just three points clear of the relegation zone.

“All credit to the players. To finish 12th in this league with 59 points from where we were is an outstanding achievement,” he said.

“I am probably as guilty as anybody as I say they are just doing their jobs, but sometimes from certain areas we need to give the lads the credit they deserve.”

A former Boston manager, Hurst spent time early in the season doing radio commentary from the stands and admitted that helped him know the squad once he was given the chance to return to the hot seat.

“First half of the season doing the radio was not as as stressful, but I enjoyed it and it got my eye in,” he smiled.

“It wasn't done with the thought I might get to manage Boston United again – circumstance dictated that's what played out.

“And it did 100 per cent give me an insight into the squad and the players, though you don't know fully until you are in.

“Taking nothing away from the lads that were here, it is important to mention some of the lads that came in – Jamie Grimes, Tom Cursons, Jake Rooney, Andy Wogan, Dan Cameron.

“They made a difference to us if we are truthful, especially the three in the back line who gave us a real platform, and Tom came in and hit the ground running with some important goals.

“But, overall, it was a team and squad effort.

“There were some tough times, but the fans very rarely got on the players' backs. They are with us no matter what is going on.

“All we have to be careful about is raising expectations too far.

“Today showed how far the team have come, playing Hartlepool, who are eighth and a team you might expect to be in the play-offs – and we more than matched them.”

Hurst will now sort his retained list this week and begin to try to strengthen his squad.

But, in a league with some clubs with huge budgets, he said he needed to be patient.

“I am looking forward to a little break now, which is needed,” he said.

“At the same time it is inevitably about us putting a squad together in due course.

“But it will not be easy to do that as finances dictate. That is the reality and I am not going to try to hide away from it or be embarrassed saying it.

“We will have to be patient and wait until we see what we can get.

“I don't want to just bring people in. I want as much quality as possible and we will see how that goes.

“We will try our best to bring in quality players to give ourselves the best chance of having a good season.”

Boston produced three goals in nine minutes late in the game today to see off Hartlepool and Hurst said: “Three goals, a nice crowd – it was great to see the kids' teams in there making a noise too – and the sun was shining, so it was a nice way to round the season off.

“First half it was a little bit too safe from both teams – too structured almost.

“Both sides had little nice bits of moves but very rarely threatened to get behind the opposition.

“But certainly towards the end we did get in behind them, just from being a bit more direct at times.”

Connor Teale struck the equaliser just as he was about to be brought off while Frankie Maguire and Tom Cursons then sealed the points.

“I think their lad slipped to begin with, but it was a great finish from Connor,” said Hurst.

“He was just coming off and it didn't change my mind as we wanted to try to win it and get Tom on, moving Dylan (Hill) to an unfamiliar right back role to keep some energy out there.

“But it was great to get that equaliser to give us a platform to go on and get a win.

“Frankie had a few attempts before his goal and looked a threat first half. We could probably have got him on the ball a little more.

“Tom has found life a little bit difficult after a start here that in reality he was never going to be able to keep up.

“But it was a lovely finish from him - they were three very good finishes to be fair, rounding off a nice day for our fans.”