Tranmere Rovers will be hoping to bounce back from their shock defeat at the weekend when they travel to Hartlepool United on Tuesday evening.

The visitors were beaten 1-0 but still remain in control of their own destiny inside the automatic promotion places, whilst the visitors strengthened their mid-table position by recording a second consecutive victory.

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Hartlepool clinched their first away win in League Two for almost four months when they downed Crawley Town 1-0 at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.

It was a shaky start for the Monkey Hangers, but after surviving their hosts striking the woodwork twice early on, they took the lead on the stroke of half time thanks to Omar Bogle's strike.

Backs were against the wall for large parts of the second half, but Graeme Lee's side put in a solid defensive display to record back-to-back victories in the league for the first time since October.

In addition, the result means it is now five league games unbeaten in recent weeks, with the defeat to Premier League side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup earlier this month being their only setback in the last seven matches across all competitions.

As a result of their solid form of late, United find themselves in a comfortable position of 15th ahead of their action in midweek, with 11 points separating them from the playoff spots, and as many points keeping them safe above the relegation zone too, in what continues to be an excellent season on their return to the Football League.

Meanwhile, Tranmere unexpectedly fell 1-0 away to Walsall on Saturday afternoon, who had lost seven straight games ahead of their meeting and had a caretaker manager in charge.

It was a hugely disappointing display from Micky Mellon's side, and one that would not have been expected by many considering their excellent campaign so far.

Despite their poor performance, it had appeared that the Super White Army would at least pick up a point from the trip to the West Midlands, but Conor Wilkinson's late penalty for their hosts succumbed Tranmere to only their second defeat in their last 15 League Two matches.

With league-leaders Forest Green Rovers drawing on Saturday, the gap from Tranmere in second, to the summit, extended to 11 points, but Sutton United's draw and Exeter City's win meant their comfort inside the top three was cut to only five points.

If Tranmere are to return to winning ways on Tuesday, and also strengthen their hold on an automatic promotion spot between now and May, their form on their travels will need to be addressed in the coming weeks and months, with only 19 of their 55 points this season being picked up on their travels as a result of another loss away from home at the weekend.

Team News

Marcus Carver could return to the Hartlepool squad on Tuesday as he looks to rebuild his fitness following the injury that has kept him sidelined for a month.

Jordan Cook remains sidelined in the only other potential absence though, with captain Nicky Featherstone returning from a three-match suspension.

Lee could well name an unchanged side for the third consecutive game following back-to-back victories, although Featherstone is likely to replace either Joe White or Bryn Morris in the centre of midfield.

As for the visitors, experienced midfielder Jay Spearing remains sidelined with a knee injury that has kept him out of the last three matches.

Mellon is unlikely to change his side too drastically despite the disappointing setback at the weekend, but Sam Foley could come into the side for 19-year-old Lewis Warrington.

Charlie Jolley could also drop out of the forward line, with Elliott Nevitt potentially coming in to partner Kane Hemmings up front.

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Killip; Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson; Featherstone, Morris, Crawford; Molyneux, Bogle, Grey

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Clarke, MacDonald; Morris, O'Connor, Foley, Hawkes; Hemmings, Nevitt

We say: Hartlepool United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

With Hartlepool coming into this game on the back of such strong form, we believe they will come out of it with at least a point on Tuesday.

Tranmere still remain in good shape despite their disappointment on Saturday, but their poor away form is likely to cost them all three points here between two sides that remain tight at the back.

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