Gatesheadvs.Hartlepool

While the home side sit in sixth position in the standings, Hartlepool are down in 14th place and need a win to ease any lingering relegation concerns.

Match preview

Given their form before and during February, there will be plenty of Gateshead supporters who would have backed their side to be higher than sixth at this stage.

At one point earlier this year, 16 points came from just six matches, but a three-match winless streak before their FA Trophy quarter-final altered their trajectory.

Since edging out Peterborough Sports, Gateshead have won twice and lost once in the fifth tier, the victories in question coming against Dagenham & Redbridge and Altrincham.

In the latter fixture, Rob Elliot's side twice came from behind before prevailing 3-2, keeping them as favourites to earn a top-five spot in the table.

Although that will not be taken for granted, five of their remaining seven matches will be held on home territory, albeit where five defeats have been posted in 18 games.

Meanwhile, Kevin Phillips is still trying to get the best of a Hartlepool squad that he took over in January, yet losing just twice in nine games can be deemed to be a success.

As many as four victories came from his opening five games, but the M Hangers have since gone four matches without success.

Positives can be taken from draws with Southend United and Eastleigh, although Hartlepool are just five points clear of the relegation zone.

This is also a team that have lost nine times in 19 away league games this season, yet their only defeat in four such fixtures under Phillips came by a 2-1 scoreline at second-placed Solihull Moors.

Gateshead National League form:

L

D

L

W

L

W

Hartlepool United National League form:

W

W

L

L

D

D

Team News

Having served a one-match ban, Louis Storey is available to return to the Gateshead defence.

That could see Ed Francis return to a more advanced position in midfield, with Ben Worman potentially the player sacrificed unless Marcus Dinanga or Dajaune Brown drop to the substitutes' bench.

Meanwhile, Phillips will stick with the majority of the Hartlepool side that started against Eastleigh.

Chay Cooper may potentially be recalled on the right flank, taking the spot of Terrell Agyemang, while Courtney Duffus is in contention to come back into the attack.

Gateshead possible starting lineup:

Harness; Richardson, Francis, Jobe; Tinkler, Worman, Whelan, Hannant; Evans; Brown, Dinanga

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Jameson; Lacey, Parkes, Waterfall, Ferguson; Featherstone, Crawford; Cooper, Cooke, Grey; Dieseruvwe

We say: Gateshead 2-1 Hartlepool United

Although Hartlepool head into this fixture on the back of two draws, confidence remains low ahead of a highly-anticipated fixture. In sharp contrast, Gateshead have just come through a thriller against a promotion rival and we are backing another hard-earned triumph here.

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