Pete Wild rubbishes suggestions Hartlepool United should treat Boreham Wood clash as a 'free-hit'

Pools, who are languishing in a precarious position at the wrong end of the division, are gearing up for perhaps their toughest test of the entire season as they prepare to travel to Hertfordshire to take on a Wood side who have won 13 and drawn two of their opening 15 matches this term.

Indeed, Pools are at significant risk of dropping back into the relegation zone this weekend unless Wild's side can pull off a major shock at Meadow Park.

Defeat for Pools and a positive result for Boston United, who are at home to fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United, would see them slide back into the bottom four ahead of a break from National League action for the FA Cup first round.