HARTLEPOOL United defender Darren Knowles is relishing today's visit of Cheltenham and admitted: "We owe them one.''

Steve Cotterill's side did the double over Pool last season in their first season in the Football League and after Saturday's point on their travels at Exeter, Knowles said: "They are a big, strong side - but so are most of the teams in this division. We know from last season how they play and it is up to us to break them down.

"But we got a point at Exeter and if we can get draws away from home and win our home games then things will go right for us.

"We have to look for six points this week and that would get us right up there at the top.

"After losing to Chesterfield, Saturday's result was a step in the right direction - there is no real pressure on us to win like there would have been if we had lost.

"To be honest, Martin (Hollund) had very little to do and for an away team that is great.

"They didn't have many shots and their goal came from a set piece, but we should have won it in the end.

"Last week at Burnley we played a team who let you have a lot of the ball in your own half before they hit you, but in this league it is more like 100mph and it was a real battle out there.

"We were a bit unlucky with the goal because Tim Sperrevik isn't a defender, but he will learn from it.''

l SAM Shilton will return for Pool this afternoon as boss Chris Turner takes the opportunity to rest teenage wing back Mark Robinson.

Shilton replaced Robinson as a late substitute at St James Park and gave Pool a potent attacking outlet on the left side and Pool boss Chris Turner admitted: "Sam will start against Cheltenham, he is ready to come back.

"Mark has done exceptionally well and not let anyone down, but is more of a left back but Sam will give us a little bit more of an attacking option.''

Turner also has Gary Strodder available after completing a four-game suspension, although the central defender is likely to start on the bench this afternoon as Turner keeps faith with on-loan Barry Ferguson and non-contract recruit James Sharp alongside Chris Westwood.

"James has got better with each game. He still makes mistakes, but that will go with experience.

"Graeme Lee will possibly be ready next week as well and we are getting back towards full strength with players coming back. If we can get points on the board when players are missing and we are understrength it shows how strong the squad is.''

Ian Clark is on the verge of returning to full-time training, but skipper Micky Barron is still sidelined with knee trouble.

l CHELTENHAM beat Torquay on Saturday despite having two men sent off. Striker Neil Grayson faces a long spell on the sidelines after breaking an ankle at York on August 19.

Pool (from): Hollund, Knowles, Sharp, Westwood, Ferguson, Shilton, Robinson, Fitzpatrick, Stephenson, Miller, Lormor, Henderson, Midgley, Strodder, Sperrevik, Arnison, Williams, Tennebo, McAvoy

Goals: Henderson (1min, 0-1); C Roberts (77, 1-1).

Bookings: Fitzpatrick, Curran, Flack (fouls).

Referee: Clive Wilkes (Gloucester).

Attendance: 2,967

EXETER (4-4-2): Fraser 5, Whitworth 6, Curran 6 (Ashton 46, 6), Burrows 6 (C Roberts 53, 6), Campbell 6; Roscoe 7, Ampadu 6, Zabek 5, Inglethorpe 6; Tomlinson 6 (D Roberts 58, 6), FLACK 8. Subs (not used): van Heusden, Buckle.

HARTLEPOOL (3-5-2): Hollund 7; Ferguson 6, WESTWOOD 8, Sharp 7; Knowles 6, Robinson 6 (Shilton 81), Miller 6, Stephenson 6, Fitzpatrick 6 (Midgley 57, 6); Henderson 6 (Sperrevik 63, 6), Lormor 7. Subs (not used): Williams (gk), Arnison.

MAN OF THE MATCH

CHRIS Westwood - solid as ever at the back