Hartlepool United head coach Anthony Limbrick previews visit of relegation-threatened Maidenhead

Pools began a pivotal seven days on a slightly underwhelming note when they drew 2-2 with 15th placed Tamworth on Tuesday evening. There were plenty of positives from the Pools performance, but Limbrick's side failed to put the game to bed despite creating a host of presentable opportunities and were punished for a lacklustre end to the first half. Although fans might have been frustrated at this side's failure to build on Saturday's statement win over in-form Sutton, Limbrick rightly pointed out that most supporters would have taken four points from the two matches.

The big games keep on coming for Pools, who host relegation-threatened Maidenhead on Saturday. The Magpies are without a win in their last six on the road but are scrapping for their lives towards the bottom end of the National League table. Pools then host Altrincham, the current occupants of the coveted seventh spot, next Tuesday in the last of three home games in seven days.

Pools, who remain just three points outside the play-off places despite a frustrating run of one win in their last six games, will probably need at least four points from the next two matches, while sections of the fanbase will likely feel as though nothing other than maximum points will keep them in contention. Although next week's visit of Altrincham promises to be a massive game with the potential to be decisive for both sides, Limbrick insists he is 100 per cent focused on Saturday's encounter, no less important, against Maidenhead.

"I must admit I'm not really thinking about Tuesday's game, I'm just worrying about Maidenhead," he said.

"I know it's a bit of a cliche statement, but it's true - really with us, we're taking it game by game.

"It's interesting looking at the table, there are so many teams with games in hand, there are so many different permutations. We've just got to concentrate on what we're doing, we're very much focused on that.

"We've said that these home games are going to be so important. I think there would be a different feeling if we'd drawn against Sutton and then won at home, but that's how it is. There's no doubt that over the whole season - not just since Lennie (Lawrence) and I have been here - we've drawn too many games at home.

"I think you could clearly see that we weren't trying to draw the Tamworth game, at 2-2 we were going for it and trying to win. We did the same at Sutton and I think that's clear in terms of how we're selecting the team, how aggressive we've been, the subs that we've been making. The message will be the same on Saturday, we want to win and see where it puts us. If we win on Saturday, then we've got seven points from the last three games and I think we'd all be happy."