FEW at Brentford will remember Denis Behan being released without making an appearance, but later today the Irishman is intent on finally making a name for himself at Griffin Park.

Behan, along with the rest of the Hartlepool United squad, is acutely aware of the outcome of Thursday’s hearings, when the Football League docked Pools three points for fielding Gary Liddle when he was suspended.

Pools confirmed yesterday that an appeal has been lodged with the Football League. The appeal will be held by an indepedent commission.

Thursday’s decision means- Pools have been plunged back into a relegation fight and could find themselves back in League Two if they fail to win at Griffin Park.

But Behan, with the Bees’ Academy before returning to Ireland and impressing with Cork City, feels the events of the last few days could actually help his side’s performance in London.

“It’s a good thing we know we need to go there and win,”

said Behan, who scored a leveller in last week’s draw with Exeter. “If we knew a draw would do us and we were lackadaisical about it, it could be our undoing. It’s a good thing we go down there knowing our job, and we’re good enough to win.”

If Exeter, who face Huddersfield at home, and Tranmere, due to travel to already relegated Stockport, both win, Pools will drop into the bottom four if they fail to win at Brentford.

It is a strange situation which the Victoria Park outfit now find themselves in, but the mood inside the dressing room is one of determination in the hope survival can be reached.

And Behan, after emerging from the bench to equalise a week ago, would enjoy having a major role to play in claiming the victory at his former club which keeps Pools up.

“When Brentford were at Victoria Park the last time they didn’t even know who I was, so that shows how popular I was down there,” he quipped.

“We’d be a lot happier if we were safe and we could enjoy it a bit more, but if we’d just needed a point it would have been a worse situation than knowing we have to win. It’s in our own hands.”

Brentford can no longer finish in the top six but a decent home record – they have not lost at Griffin Park since October 3 – has ensured Pools will not be taking anything for granted.

“Brentford having nothing to play for can be dangerous,”

he said.

“Some players play well when they’re relaxed. It’s their last home game and they’re going to want to win it.

“Their fans are paying good money to watch them play.”

After an indifferent first season in the North-East, the 26-year-old would love nothing better than to end on a high.

Six goals is not a bad return for a first season with the club, particularly after two bouts of ankle ligament trouble, but he would have preferred things to have run smoother.

“I was injured for nearly six months because I was only back two or three weeks before I went out again,” said Behan, who played his first League One game in two months last Saturday.

“It was good to get back and I was just happy to get a good half-our under my belt.

“I was pleased to get so much time.

“Chris Turner said in the week he would ease me back in but I said to him I wanted to play.

“I’m not here to keep myself for next year. He took a chance on me and it worked out.”

Hartlepool United and the last day dramas

GOING down to the wire is something Hartlepool United have become used to in recent years. On four occasions they have had hopes of reaching the playoffs, twice they had the title to go for and they have also been relegated on the last day, with a close shave 12 months ago.

Will their final-day experience count for something at Brentford today?

2000: Pools went to Hull needing to win – and hope that Cheltenham and Torquay both slipped up to get a play-off spot. Pools won 3-0 and, after going twoup inside eight minutes, it was down to others to do their bit. Northampton beat Torquay and Southend beat Cheltenham to secure seventh place.

2002: Pools took almost 1,500 fans to Exeter and they were celebrating as Eifion Williams and Gordon Watson secured a 2-0 win.

Shrewsbury lost at home to Luton and the play-offs beckoned again.

2003: After being 14 points in front of Rushden in March, Pools had to go to Nene Park on the last day one place and two points behind the team in top spot.

Pools went 1-0 down and with that goal their title aspirations were effectively over. Chris Westwood got a late leveller and, although they went close to grabbing a winner, Rushden got their hands on the title.

2004: In their first season in League One, Pools went to Swindon on the final day.

A draw would ensure both sides made the play-offs at the expense of Port Vale.

Pools fell behind, but Adam Boyd met a Hugh Robertson cross to head in. From that 70th-minute goal, there was no way either side was going to score again.

2005: A trip to Bournemouth, when victory for the home side meant they were in the play-offs – at Pools expense. After going one down, Jon Daly levelled. Pools fell behind again before Thomas Butler crossed for Antony Sweeney to nod Pools into the top seven.

2006: Pools were at home to Port Vale in need of a win to avoid dropping from League One to Two. But they also needed MK Dons to win at Rotherham to stay up on goal difference. Pools were trailing before James Brown levelled at the death.

Rotherham’s win relegated both Pools and MK Dons.

2007: Pools went into the last game – against Bristol Rovers – second in League Two, with Walsall top on goal difference. The Saddlers were at Swindon and Pools had to better the leaders’ result to win the title.

But Rovers needed victory to make sure of a play-off spot and, despite taking the lead through Joel Porter, Pools lost 2-1 and finished second.

2009: Bristol Rovers again.

Pools had to avoid defeat, or need Northampton to lose at Leeds. Carlisle had to beat Millwall and overturn a six-goal deficit on Pools. A horror start saw Pools two goals down after four minutes and Carlisle two up soon after. Awful Pools stayed up on the back of a 4- 1 thumping, by a point.