Hartlepool United news: New date for Eastleigh clash as upcoming opponents gain momentum

Dave Challinor’s side were originally scheduled to host The Spitfires in December, yet Pools’ involvement in the FA meant the fixture had to be postponed.

The game will now be played after Hartlepool’s home game against Harrogate on New Year’s Day and before a trip to Dover.

Eastleigh sit 13th in the National League, one place above Pools, after 24 games.

Next up for Hartlepool is a meeting with Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Park in the National League this weekend.

The Daggers will have momentum going into the game following Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Sutton United in the FA Trophy.

Daggers coach Jody Brown believes the result is an "important point" in his side's season.

Brown told Daggers TV: "The important thing for us is moments like these bring us closer together, strengthen our personality, strengthen our character, give us more resilience and make us aware that we've got it within us to turn situations like that around.

"There was a period where body language was going and we looked like we were dead on our feet and we were feeling sorry for ourselves.

"Sometimes you need that little trigger and that's got to be individuals sometimes, one or two individuals were that trigger and we turned it around so I couldn't be more pleased.

"The overriding feeling now is we've got into the next round from a losing position which we haven't done many times this year.”