IT'S only 13 weeks since Hartlepool United were last at Bournemouth - and manager Martin Scott admits the quick return could play into the hands of the home side.

Pool yesterday headed for the Fitness First Stadium, where they achieved a draw on the final day of the League One season to secure a place in the play-offs at the expense of the home side.

With May 7 and the 2-2 draw fresh in the memory, Scott knows what to expect tonight.

Pool lost at home to Bradford City on Saturday in their first game of the season, but Scott admitted: "We've a great chance to bounce back after Saturday's defeat. I'm sure Bournemouth will want to get one over on us after the final game of last season.

"We've got to be patient and let everyone bed in. That stands out from Saturday. I know the lads out there on Saturday are good players, but we made mistakes in defence.

"It was a new-look to the back four and when you look at cover, we only have young lads in Darren Craddock and Carl Jones, so that is something we will look at.

"We picked the lads up on Sunday - that wasn't as punishment, it was always planned with Tuesday's game in mind.

"I think what happened on the final day of the season is an advantage for Bournemouth, because it will make them more determined to get one over on us.

"They play good football and play to the strengths of Steve Fletcher and I know we have to perform better.''

Pool fielded four new signings at Victoria Park on Saturday, but the side failed to hit it off.

After a training session on Sunday and the longest trip of the season to mull over events, Scott said: "It's a good thing to have the game come up so quickly because it gives us a chance to start again.

"We will have a bit more focus in certain areas and we will look at the full squad and move on from the Bradford game.

"In my opinion we have players with great legs in the team, who can create chances and we have strikers who can score goals.

"We didn't create a lot on Saturday, but we will get it right.

"I know some players didn't score in pre-season, but what I have to do is make sure they are on their game on Tuesday.

"The players have been told they need to perform better and they all know it and will admit it.

"We won't panic after one game. We are disappointed, but we just ask for a bit of patience from players and fans.''

Bournemouth are without Karl Broadhurst with a back injury. Stephen Purches, Warren Cummings and Jason Tindall remain long-term absentees.

l David Hodgson tonight renews his rivalry with former foe Chris Turner, looking to mark the 50th game at the Darlington Football Stadium by building on Saturday's opening day draw at Rushden and Diamonds.

Ex-Hartlepool boss Turner brings his Stockport County side to the North-East and it marks the first occasion the managers have crossed swords since the Division Three play-offs in 2000.

Quakers won both legs against Turner's Pool to reach Wembley.

The pair were former team-mates at Sheffield Wednesday in the 80s and Hodgson said: "I have not managed to speak with Chris for a while. Not because I don't want to, it just hasn't happened.

"He had an incredible run at Hartlepool which got them into the play-offs but overall I think I have the win in hand over him and long may it continue."

After being sacked as manager of Wednesday last season Turner took over at Stockport but could not prevent them being relegated to League Two and tonight's game is the Hatters' first at this level since they finished runners-up when Quakers won the Division Four title in 1991.

Both sides drew on Saturday - the Hatters at home to Mansfield thanks to two goals from ex-Pool striker Jermaine Easter.

A win tonight would provide a healthy start to the season for Hodgson, who said: "We have had Stockport watched during pre-season, we had two reports on them just as we did for Rushden. So we know how they play and what their tactics are."

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