CHRIS TURNER last night urged Hartlepool United fans to continue the good work for tonight's home bow in the Third Division.

The Pool boss takes his side into the clash with League newcomers Boston United at Victoria Park, fresh from a comfortable 3-1 victory at Carlisle on Saturday.

And Turner, whose team were backed by around 1,500 travelling supporters at Brunton Park, is hoping for a vociferous huge crowd to boost his players on home soil this evening.

"We are hoping for a big turnout for our first home match," said Turner, who has seen the club's average gate gradually rise since he took over in March 1999.

"Everybody is talking about us as promotion contenders and because of the position we are in after Saturday's game, we should have a few extra coming.

"Our away support at Carlisle was fantastic, as it was for most of last season. And it would be nice that our first home game was greeted in the same way."

The success over the Cumbrians lifted Pool to top of the table after the first day's play.

And the Pool chief is now hoping his side can go into their second match - their first of two successive home encounters - with exactly the same attitude.

"Anything could have happened at Carlisle because they were backed by a big crowd and they had to put their best side out under the circumstances," he said. Pool players Paul Smith (knee) and Tommy Widdrington are still not fit. But Smith hopes to be fit for the clash with Macclesfield on Saturday.

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