The League's Home Heroes Take On The Kings Of The Road!

What will give on Saturday when two of the National League’s promotion heavyweights collide?

On the weekend when leaders Sutton United put their feet up, opportunity knocks for the rest to make an impression.

While Notts County know it will take something special for them to topple the team at the top, Hartlepool United are fully aware a win returns their name to the division’s summit.

Pools are currently on their best run for getting on for 15 years.

Dave Challinor is realistic about what it will take to finish ahead of all the rest but he knows the longer they stay undefeated, the more confidence builds.

BT Sport couldn’t have picked a more intriguing match-up on Saturday tea-time.

"I’ve said 68, 69 points would be enough to make sure you’re in the play-offs this season,” he told the Hartlepool Mail.

"It’s probably going to need at least 75 to finish second or third and in terms of winning the league, it’s probably going to take 84 points - which would mean virtually winning every game for us.

"It’s still do-able and that’s our aim but our short term aim is winning our next game and keeping the momentum building.”

So how have Hartlepool got such an outstanding home record when fans haven’t been there to cheer them on?

“Ever since I came to the club, the fans have been unbelievable,” he said.

“I said when I arrived that the supporters have to be the 12th man, and not a millstone around the players’ necks. They’ve been right behind us, even when they haven’t been here, you can feel the energy.

“They have had lots and lots of disappointment for years, and we’ve finally given them some optimism and we can’t have them in the ground!

“We want to make sure that when we can have them in, hopefully towards the back end of the campaign, that we can give them some excitement and some success as well.

“It’s going to be a fantastic end to the season, and we’ve got to keep picking up as many points as possible.”

These two sides could still meet again this season in the play-offs, of course.

Notts fans have been doing their sums and some even feel, with a few top side meeting in the games ahead, there the Magpies’ title flame is still flickering.

They sit fifth, but with games in hand new manager Ian Birchnall won’t admit defeat either.

Win at Victoria Park and the noises will start to get louder.

Notts welcome back top scorer Kyle Wootton, and he has said he doesn’t plan to change the way he plays.

Wootton was red carded towards the end of the Good Friday clash with Wrexham.

Rested and ready to go, he may have to wait for his chance.

Teenage star Jimmy Knowles’ hat-trick at Woking inspired a 4-2 victory on Monday - and a second Magpies win over the Easter weekend.

The on-loan Mansfield striker told the Nottingham Post about a day he will never forget.

But fans hope there is more to come as the club head to the north east on Saturday in search of a third straight victory.

“It feels surreal really,” the smiling young striker said. I don’t really feel like it’s happened. But I am buzzing to have scored three goals.

“It’s something that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

“I’m 19 years of age and scored a hat-trick in the National League. It’s something I will never forget.”

IMAGES BY MARK FLETCHER & NOTTS COUNTY FC