Against Brentford last season the pressure was well and truly on Hartlepool United as they went into the final game of the season with the world on their shoulders.

Deducted three points in the hours leading up to the game, Pools played out a nervy 0-0 draw to avoid relegation.

As the teams meet at Victoria Park this afternoon, Pools' outlook couldn't be more relaxed.

Sitting comfortably in 13th spot in the table on 44 points, relegation isn't an issue.

The two or three wins they could do with to hit the safety mark would be nice for Mick Wadsworth, but with 13 games to go there's no frantic finale in sight.

"It's a different type of pressure and a lovely pressure that we can approach teams like Huddersfield Town and give them a good game," insisted Leon McSweeney.

"We can go to places like Exeter as the favourites and have that freedom to play football and get results.

"We are one of those teams that no-one is expecting to make the play-offs and we could do a Blackpool before too long.

"To do what we did in December, when we did so well, and then back it up with the poor performances in January was very frustrating all round.

"It's one of those things you would rather get out of the way earlier in the season and rally round and build consistency towards the end.

"The form team is usually a dark horse who snatches sixth position in the last couple of weeks of the season and the form team usually does well in play-offs.''

Today's opponents are a point and a place below Pools in the table, but are unbeaten since Nicky Forster took over as boss from the axed Andy Scott.

They drew with Notts County in midweek and McSweeney said: "Brentford are a team who we should be looking to beat, especially at home.

"We are confident at home, where we have put in some good performances.

"We are quite confident that we can get something from every game, like we were against Huddersfield, and it will be no different against Brentford.

"We gave Huddersfield a run for their money but we have to put the game to bed.

"We have got a very winnable game and hopefully we can get back on to a winning streak.''

Wide man McSweeney was reinstated to the side for last weekend's win at Exter and, after impressing at wing-back, he was moved to the wing in midweek.

Pools lost to Huddersfield at Victoria Park, but McSweeney was satisfied with his and the team's performance.

"I think all players are disappointed when they find themselves out of the team," he said.

"I thought it was harsh but I think every player is going to tell you that. I just kept my head down and respected the manager's decision.

"When you get the chance you do your best to make him feel that he shouldn't have dropped you. There is nothing else you can do.

"I was delighted to get back into the starting XI at Exeter and to put in a performance like that.

"We could have made it very comfortable for ourselves down there but we like to do things the hard way.

"We hung on in there after stuttering away from home recently.

"It was a great performance and really gelled the lads together again.

"It gave us belief that we can hold this position or possibly push on into the play-offs.

"I spoke to Mick and told him what I thought about me being left out. He gave his reasons and you've just got to respect it.

"It's his job, he picks the players that he thinks are going to get him a result. There's 22 players in the squad so he isn't going to please us all. But I just have to let him know that I'm hungry to play.

"I want to play and when you are picked to play you have got to back your words up with a performance. Hopefully I will do it now.''