Preparation is key for Hignett's Hartlepool in the FA Cup

After being embarrassed and beaten by Blyth Spartans in 2014, they needed a replay to see off Salford City last year.

Tomorrow they are up against Stamford at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium. Third time lucky? Craig Hignett hopes so.

Stamford are the lowest-ranked side Pools have faced, opposition from the Evo-Stik Division One South.

But, without a home win this season, Pools won’t do anything other than prepare as if they are facing regular opposition.

“We have a non league team coming to us with nothing to lose. We are expected to win, we have had them watched and they will work hard,’’ said boss Craig Hignett.

“We have to do our jobs properly. I’ve been an underdog before and played to a level I felt we couldn’t achieve. If we approach it properly, do it right, and start well we should be alright.

“Come Sunday and kick-off people can do strange things, but we know our environment, we will approach it properly.

“I love the FA Cup and was lucky enough to play in a final which was an occasion I will never forget. Let’s look to get a big boy in round three, but first we have a tough one.

“We want to be in Monday’s draw and we want to play well. We’ve not won at home yet, so let’s give the fans something positive.’’

Pools have lost their last three – as have Stamford.

And Hignett admits there’s plenty of frustration over the way recent results have gone, but is sure of good times ahead.

“I’m fine with things, because of our performances. Orient aside was tough to take, but we could have been out of sight by half-time,’’ he reflected.

“Then Barnet and we were excellent for most of the game. We have areas we are not quite right and we have to work on them to make sure we are right in what we do.

“We know where we need to get better and the players to too.

“The chairman has been first-class, things are changing at the club. He understands football and can see what is happening at the club.

“We all get frustrated because of results, but see how we play and the quality we have got, the young kids coming through and players who are worth money – not just one or two of them, but four or five.

“I’m getting fed up of speaking to managers after a game and they are telling me how good we are – the best footballing side they have faced and how lucky they were.

“I want them to say we deserved to beat them.

“The bigger picture is good and with the backing of the chairman, it’s tremendous.’’

The part-time side will travel to the North-East today and train this afternoon at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park.

Boss Graham Drury, who mastermined a replay win at Wrexham in the final qualifying round, said: “No-one is expecting Stamford to win. In all honesty, if the scoreline was 5-0 to Hartlepool, no-one would batter an eye lid although I would be disappointed if it was. I think everyone is expecting Hartlepool to win the game and quite rightly so.

"They should. They are full time just like Wrexham were. But if they take us for granted, and think they have a pushover, I am sure we are going to cause a few upsets and shocks.''

The visitors will be backed by around 500 travelling fans and Drury added: “The players have nothing to fear. They are massive underdogs, there is no doubt about that, but Hartlepool aren’t in great shape at the minute. They are struggling at home. We have got to go there positive and stick to the gameplan like we did against Wrexham.

"I have had the full run down on Pool. I sent someone to watch them at Barnet and I have had plenty of reports. That is all done. Now it is all going to be about making sure that we are playing to that plan.’’