Former Newcastle United defender urges promotion party caution ahead of National League play-off final

Ultimately, Pools’ 1-0 win at Edgeley Park will count for little if the side aren’t able to follow it up with a victory and promotion over Torquay United in the play-off final at Ashton Gate this Sunday (2pm kick-off).

Sterry wasn’t at Pools for the 5-0 defeat to The Gulls at the start of the season but was part of the side that won 1-0 at Plainmoor back in March.

And the former Magpies defender believes the side have what it takes to clinch promotion.

“We’ve done the work to get here so we should believe in ourselves to win on Sunday,” he said.

“Especially with the game down in Torquay that we won, I know it means nothing but it gives you that little bit of confidence that we can go there and beat them."

On Pools’ celebrations following the win at Stockport, Sterry added: “You have got to enjoy the highs when they come around but you can’t go over the top, you’ve got to stay calm.

"The lads were celebrating there and I’m a bit like ‘we haven’t won anything yet’ if you know what I mean but of course you’ve got to enjoy it when it does come around.

"It’s such a good group in the dressing room, there’s no bad eggs and we stick together on the pitch as well and it’s the same in training where we demand more of each other.”

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