Gus Mafuta looks ahead to FA Cup second round tie at Exeter City and the attacking threat Hartlepool United can pose

Pools make the long journey to face Football League side for the first time since they were knocked out of the competition by Gillingham just over a year ago.

“They’re Football League opposition, it’s something where we all aspire to be,” Mafuta said.

“We need to go there and look to assert ourselves on the game and get the result.”

United have scored 13 goals in their last four matches going into the game as Mafuta added: “Goals win games and make the difference that can get us through.

“I think if we can shut the back door and that’s not having a dig at the defenders, I think as a unit if we can concede less then we know that we’re always going to be a threat going forward.”