Match preview: Exeter City v Hartlepool Utd

A fortnight after beating top-of-the-table Bury at St James Park, the Grecians host Hartlepool United – who sit at the other extreme in the division’s standings.

A 3-0 home defeat at Victoria Park last weekend to Carlisle United, who were also struggling for form, was the final straw for Colin Cooper who vacated the manager’s chair that weekend. It was a also third game without a goal for Pools and a fifth without a win.

The resignation of Cooper, however, throws things into disorder in terms of City’s preparation. Pools are currently being overseen by centre-half Sam Collins and Cooper’s former assistant Stephen Pears, who are charged with getting things going again in the interim before a permanent appointment is made.

So the league position might be deceptive, in particular considering it was almost a year ago to the day that Hartlepool – who were also struggling then – came to the Park and waltzed to a 3-0 win.

Paul Tisdale is also missing senior members of his Exeter City team, leaving the squad light on the ground going into the game.

But riding high on confidence after four straight League 2 victories and playing football worthy of the in-form team, City will be looking to make it a clean-sweep from five.