JOHN Coleman admits he hoped there would be more than just pride at stake going in to the final game of the season tomorrow.

But while Stanley have little to play for, Coleman insists his side will give their all against Portsmouth who are battling to secure a place in the play-offs.

Danny Cowley’s side currently occupy the final play-off spot in sixth place but they need a victory to make sure Oxford United and Charlton Athletic don’t leap-frog them in the table.

Coleman is all too aware of the situation and will make sure his side play their part in a game that will be shown live on television.

And while the Reds boss would prefer a play-off place rather just pride was at stake at Fratton Park, he says it will be a chance to show the TV-watching public how good his side are.

“We will give it our best shot, there is a lot riding on it for Portsmouth and we have to play for the integrity of the league and our pride,” Coleman told the club website.

“It’s nice to go to the big stadiums, we historically play well in the big venues.

“There is the added incentive that it is on television and we have got a chance to show the country how well we have done this season.”

Performances haven’t quite translated to points for Stanley in recent weeks and Coleman admitted he would have liked the season to go on for a few more months.

“We have started to hit a bit of form, probably too late,” he said.

“I know the results haven’t been great but they have been acceptable and the way we are playing we would like the season to go on for a few more months."

Coleman believes it has been a season of what might have been as Stanley saw their own play-off hopes fade but is hoping they can finish on a high having been denied victory in their final home game last weekend thanks to Charlton’s last-gasp equaliser.

“I am still disappointed, and the lads are bitterly disappointed, that we think it’s a missed opportunity but you can’t live your life looking back,” he said.

“We will try and learn from the mistakes we made this season and try and get better for next season.

“We dropped a few places with the late equaliser on Saturday against Charlton which was sickening.

“It will be business as usual on Sunday and we will be going there to win it.”

Stanley could welcome back Matt Butcher from injury.

The midfielder, a boyhood Portsmouth supporter, suffered a hamstring injury against Sunderland last month and has missed Stanley’s last two matches – including the 3-3 draw against Pompey at the Wham Stadium.

But he is hopeful of a return, leaving Coleman with a potential selection dilemma, as Jonny Russell has started in Butcher’s absence.