Hartlepool United are currently doing their homework on play-off opponents Bromley ahead of Sunday's crunch National League eliminator. 

Pools go into the game as favourites but history would suggest that they are not an opponent to be taken lightly with just one win out of seven in the past. 

Ahead of the most important game of Hartlepool United's season, here's a look back on Pools patchy run against the South Londoners...

Bromley 1-0 Hartlepool (L) (Monday 3rd May 2021)

This game will be fresh in the memories of the Hartlepool United players given that it only happened last month. 

Pools 16 match unbeaten run in the National League came to an end at the hands of a solitary goal from teenager Jude Arthurs in the first half. 

Dave Challinor's side went into the game less than 48 hours after a resounding 3-1 win over Chesterfield at Victoria Park while their opponents were fresh in the legs after a weekend off. 

Unsuprisingly, Pools weren't completely at the races and Arthurs header proved to be the decisive effort at Hayes Lane. They huffed and puffed to get themselves back in the game in the second half but their misery was compounded when Gary Liddle was dismissed for second bookable offence. 

Hartlepool 0-0 Bromley (D) (Tuesday 13th October 2020)

Not the most memorable of games in a memorable season for Pools but a contest where Dave Challinor recently said they 'battered' Bromley.

It was another result that ended another run for Pools. This time, they'd won the first three games of the National League campaign against Aldershot, Chesterfield and Maidenhead United. 

The stalemate was a clear indication of what teams were willing to do to shut up shop when making the trip to Victoria Park, which has been a fortress for Pools this season. We may well expect the same of Bromley on Sunday.

The result still left them top of the table early doors in the season. 

Hartlepool 2-3 Bromley (L) (Saturday 17th August 2019)

This was the only encounter between the two sides after the 2019/20 National League season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pools may well have wished this game wasn't played either. 

Pools came from behind twice to equalise through Gavan Holohan and Gus Mafuta after goals from Michael Cheek and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild in the first half at the Vic.

15 minutes from time, Hackett-Fairchild provided the crucial goal to hand the three points to the Ravens. 

The result left Hartlepool United lingering above the National League relegation zone in 20th after five games of the season heeping pressure on manager Craig Hignett. 

Hartlepool 1-2 Bromley (L) (Saturday 23rd February 2019)

A day where Hartlepool had no answer to a very good Bromley side. 

Craig Hignett had made a strong start to life back in the Pools dugout but goals from Marc-Anthony Okeye and Luke Coulson made short work of the home side. 

Liam Noble provided a late scare in stoppage time with a speculative deflected effort into the top corner but the damage was already done by then. 

It left Pools firmly entrenched in mid table in 13th place with hopes of a late push for the play-offs quickly fading. 

Bromley 4-0 Hartlepool (L) (Saturday 3rd November 2018)

A miserable day at the office for Hartlepool United. 

Two penalties from Frankie Sutherland along with goals from Omar Bugiel and George Porter fired Bromley to a resounding victory at Hayes Lane. 

Peter Kioso was given his marching orders during the game for two bookable offences. 

The game was part of a seven match losing run that ultimately spelt the end of Matthew Bates' stint in charge of Pools.

The 3G surface is not happy hunting ground for Pools and this is one of three defeats out of three for Pools.