Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor looking to secure first National League double of the season against Aldershot Town

Pools are yet to beat any side home and away in the National League so far this campaign but may take confidence going into the game knowing they got the better of Aldershot when the sides met at the EBB Stadium in October.

Antony Sweeney’s first game in caretaker charge saw Pools run out as 3-0 winners over The Shots thanks to goals from Josh Hawkes, Gavan Holohan and Nicke Kabamba.

And current Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor is hoping for a performance more akin to their previous home display against Stockport County rather than last time out at Barnet.

“We take confidence in the fact that we know what Aldershot are about but they’re a different side from when we last faced them so we don’t read too much into the previous meeting,” he said.

“We take confidence from the fact that the last month or so, we’ve been good.

“Our last home performance was a great performance and a great result and hopefully that will all be replicated this week and we can go off at five o’clock with three points and assess where we are after that.

“But it’s going to be difficult because Aldershot have had a decent run and picked up a number of good results.

“You only have to look at last weekend where they drew at home to Harrogate, which is something we couldn’t do.

“We know it’s going to be a tough test and the nature of this league is completely up and down.

“Anyone can beat anyone which can work both ways for us – we need to be aware of that.

“We’re the home team and we have to look to take the game to the opposition.

“We’re not at the ‘must win’ stage yet but they do have a little bit of a feeling because we’ve said before that when you lose a game, it’s important how you respond to that.”