MATTHEW BATES won’t allow any lack of preparation or complacency to affect Hartlepool Untied this afternoon.

Pools take on Kidsgrove Athletic in the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup. Only Dunston of the Northern League are ranked lower of the teams remaining in the competition.

They play in the Evo-Stik West, tenth in the table - the eighth tier of the football pyramid.

Bates has pondered the possibility of making changes today, but will field a strong side: “I will pick a side I feel can win the game, I have thought about changes, but I won’t say anything else.’’

He watched Kidsgrove see off Workington in a replay in the last round.

He said: “It’s a competition which as a player I loved. One of my early memories was playing a non-league side for Boro and I enjoyed it, loved it. Now I hope to enjoy it as a manager.

“The competition is special, friends, family all love it.

“Any team at this level wants a nice run, to get a bit of money and we are no different. It’s an important competition for us.

“We are taking this and preparing for it like a league game if you like.’’

Pools drew at Orient last weekend and have only lost twice in the National League this season. They are in contention for promotion this season and Bates added: “We had a lot of games in the opening weeks of the season and now it’s eased up a bit, but this is a nice mental break from the league for players and staff. We want to go into the weekend’s game well prepared, win the game and then turn our attention back on the league.

“We will prepare thoroughly. I’ve watched them in the replay and we had them watched again last weekend. They are at this stage for a reason, there on merit and we treat is like we would any game.

“We need to start well and get at them early.

“Forget other defeats and shocks the club has had. This a new group, new staff, new players, a new era if you like and this is the start of what we hope is a successful run. We won’t get ahead of ourselves, treat Kidsgrove with respect and do it all right. No-one will take them lightly, it’s about being professional.

“It’s a tough month in the National League and this is thrown in there too. We can enjoy the competition. I want players to enjoy their work and if it’s a National League game or an FA Cup game.’’

Pools have no new injury worries this afternoon, and added: “I’ve been involved in big upsets as a player so I want to make sure the players here aren’t now. We treat them with respect and prepare correctly. I want to enjoy the game and you only enjoy it if you are winning games.

“I’ve watched them, they are 4-4-2 with two big lads up front who will work hard. It’s the biggest game for some of them and they have made changes in the league last weekend from the FA Cup replay – they are taking is seriously. It’s a great day out for them.

“They have done well to get this far and we have to make sure we spoil their day out. I’ve been involved in shocks before and we have to do everything right – preparation, the start to the game.

“They will bring a few fans along, they will try and upset our style and get at us. It’s about the start and how we start the game.

“You can’t give them any hope in the first few minutes. It’s about getting on the front foot from the off, it brings confidence to the players and gets the crowd behind you.’’