Dave Challinor has delivered a personal message to the Hartlepool United fans ahead of today's National League play-off semi final with Stockport County. 

Pools head to Edgeley Park to battle it out with The Hatters for a place in the final and date with Ashton Gate next Sunday. 

Defender Lewis Cass has made progress from his hamstring injury but the game could come too soon for him while Gavan Holohan is expected to make a full recovery from a knock he picked up in the 3-2 win over Bromley. 

Stockport are currently on an 18 match unbeaten run and go into the game as favourites to make it to Bristol while Pools recently had a 16 match unbeaten run of their own. 

The town has received a huge boost by the success of the football team this season with spirits high amongst he Pools fanbase. Fans won't be at the ground for the game but for those who will be watching the game or listening to it on the radio, the Pools has a message for them. 

"Just keep believing" Challinor said. 

"What we've tried to do since we've come into the football club was not so much lessen expectation but build optimism around what we want to do.

"Regardless of what happens, this is about the club moving forward and we hope we get the ultimate of that in terms of moving up a division but we've got to keep doing what we've been doing.

"These next few weeks will be the last time this group of players is together and that's how football works, it moves on quickly.

"We'll keep working hard and put everything on the line to do as best we can for the supporters.

"We want one last hurrah to play in front of them and there will be no better place to do that than in a promotion final at Ashton Gate."

The game kicks off at 12pm at Edgeley Park.