MICK Wadsworth admits Hartlepool United owe their fans a decent performance and some much-needed encouragement at Victoria Park.

Pools have suffered four successive defeats at home in recent weeks, going down to Sheffield Wednesday, Wycombe, Tranmere and Charlton during October.

They shipped a worrying ten goals in that run, scoring only once as their bright start to the season was shadowed.

But on Saturday at Leyton Orient, in a 1-1 draw, they played with the determination and organisation that marked their positive start to the season.

And, with Stevenage Borough due at Victoria Park for a first round FA Cup tie on Saturday, Wadsworth and Co are out to impress.

"Our away results this season, Notts County aside, have been very good,'' he said. "We have to give our fans something to shout about at home because we have let them down badly recently.

"It's very important to start that with the cup game and show we are a decent team.

"This performance at Orient was positive and we gave the supporters some hope and showed we are a decent team on the back of last Saturday's disappointment.

"We are back on track hopefully and we've had some fantastic results away from home especially and now it's something to build on.''

Pools were lifted by the return of midfielder Antony Sweeney at the weekend. He missed three games with a groin strain, but was back in midfield for the trip to London.

Nobby Solano, who has missed five games with a hamstring strain, is also in contention for a spot on Satursday.

"Nobby is close to being back, which is good, but we will lose Murray for one game for two yellow cards. Nishy had an ankle injury in training last Tuesday, so we will see what we have available but the lads who performed at Orient deserve a chance on Saturday for sure.''

He added: "Tony was back and we wanted him in and Gary (Liddle) will admit he hasn't played as well this year as last. He's had some good games, but not as consistent as he was last season. But he did well second half and won a lot of challenges and tackles and played a key role in helping us see out the last 20 minutes with ten men.

"Sweeney came back in which was good for us. He is fresh from an injury and those chances will always come to home and he will put them away, no doubt about it.''