JOHN Coventry admits he sympathises with Hungerford Town and Poole Town after they were told they would not be able to compete in this season’s National League South play-offs.

Poole and Hungerford occupy fifth and sixth respectively ahead of the final game of the season tomorrow, but neither will be able to contest the play-offs, after the FA ruled they had failed to meet ground grading requirements.

The same applies to Wealdstone, Rocks’ opponents tomorrow, who could have been beneficiaries of the decision had they met the grading status.

The result is that only Hampton & Richmond Borough can book a play-off berth, assuming they finish the day in seventh position or higher – with only the top seven allowed to qualify.

And Coventry said the rules were explained to the sides earlier in the season, after Rocks made upgrades to their own ground following their promotion last season.

“We knew the rules a long time ago,” he said. “It must be very frustrating for teams like Hungerford and Poole as they knew they had a great chance to reach the play-offs this season.

“You have to have 250 undercover seats and you have until March 31 to reach the grading. If you reach the play-offs you have to have 250 extra undercover seats in no more than two stands.

“So, had we got there, we would have had to install an extra 250 seats but we didn’t envisage that.

“But in terms of our game against Wealdstone, I am looking forward to the end of the season.

“It has been a fantastic season. We have had disappointing results along the way but the club has been fantastic.

“It is Devs’ (assistant manager Jay Devereux) last game and that is disappointing for everyone but it will be nice for people to say their goodbyes afterwards.”

Ben Marlow is the only absentee for Rocks.