Mansfield Town shall be aiming to keep their hopes of promotion alive on Tuesday when they travel to play Hartlepool United in their latest League Two fixture.

The visitors are just one point outside of the playoffs, which is a gap they shall be hoping to overcome, while the hosts have the chance to push into the top half with a victory.

Match preview

Hartlepool United's inconsistency was on full display once again when they faced Northampton Town, being defeated 2-0 due to goals from Sam Hoskins and Chanka Zimba.

They were unable to follow the victory against Newport County, with the club having failed to pick up consecutive wins since early February, which is one of the reasons they are stuck in the bottom half.

Graeme Lee's team sit 13th in League Two right now, but three points on Tuesday night does have the potential of lifting them up above Crawley Town if they slip up.

The squad have been strong at home this season as well, only being beaten three times in 18 fixtures, which is the 10th best record in the entire division.

However, the last time Hartlepool met their opponents they came up short in what was a five-goal thriller that Mansfield Town edged 3-2.

Nigel Clough's men had to fight back from 2-0 to take all three points, with goals from John-Joe O'Toole, Jordan Bowery and George Maris proving to be the difference makers.

This continued their strong form as of late, having lost just twice in their previous eight outings, which has allowed them to push for promotion this season.

The Stags are just a point away from the playoffs right now, but with at least two games in hand on those above them, there is a lot of belief that it is an achievable goal.

If Mansfield were to win those matches, they would have a shot at an automatic promotion, which provides all the motivation needed heading into their final fixtures this season.

The squad defeated Oldham Athletic on Saturday, coming from behind to take all three points, although they did leave it until the 95th minute for George Lapslie to score the winner.

Team News

Mark Shelton was still missing for Hartlepool United on Saturday, with his fitness not being at the necessary level.

Ben Killip was ill which forced a change in goal as well, with Nicholas Bilokapic getting the chance to play in net, while Bryn Morris returned from his ankle issue.

Kieran Wallace was brought into the Mansfield Town starting lineup at the weekend, and he could have done enough to retain his place in the team for Tuesday.

Lapslie is someone who will be hoping to get a chance from the first minute as well after he came off the bench to score the winner against Oldham.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Bilokapic; Byrne, Liddle, Odusina; Sterry, Morris, Featherstone, Ferguson; Crawford, Molyneux, Bogle

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bishop; O'Toole, Hewitt, Hawkins, Perch, McLaughlin; Quinn, Wallace, Longstaff; Oates, Murphy

We say: Hartlepool United 1-2 Mansfield Town

Both teams have the qualities to gain all three points in this match, but Mansfield Town are in much stronger form at the moment, which could prove to be the difference.

They will no doubt have an added element of confidence, and with the club being close to the playoffs, they will not want to slip up at this stage.

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