Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor looking to claim fifth straight National League win for the first time as they visit FC Halifax Town

The match was originally scheduled to be played on January 2 as part of a busy festive schedule but was postponed due to a frozen pitch at The Shay.

Dave Challinor’s side currently sit second in the National League table following four straight wins, including a 3-1 victory over Halifax at Victoria Park on Boxing Day.

The Shaymen have lost two of their last nine matches, scoring 25 and conceding 16 in the process – they sit sixth in the table, seven points behind Hartlepool after 17 games.

It’s been almost a decade since Pools last won five league matches in a row but confidence is high at the club as they look to cut Torquay’s lead at the top of the table to five points.

“It’s a really important three, four weeks for us because we’re not playing many games compared with teams around us which puts more emphasis on the games we do play,” Challinor told The Mail.

“All the games in this league are tough and can be a toss of a coin in most instances. It’s great to be going into Halifax on the back of four straight wins, full of confidence and looking to win another.

"From there, we can reassess where we’re at because it’s 10 days before our next league match at Weymouth but it’ll be a really good start to the new year to get another three points.”

Gary Liddle is the only expected absentee for Pools as he continues his recovery from a long-term groin injury.

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