Alan Little wants his Southend United side to prevent Hartlepool from making history for all the wrong reasons when they visit Roots Hall for this season's final Third Division fixture.

The Shrimpers are currently on a disastrous run of home form - having lost a club equalling record of four games in succession - with three of these defeats coming under Little's leadership.

However, a Hartlepool win can extend this record to five games tomorrow - which would also see Southend suffer ten home defeats in a season for the First time in their 79-year league history.

"A few weeks ago people were talking about this match being a relegation decider for the drop into the Conference," said Little, who has steered Blues to league safety in recent weeks.

"But we're safe now and I want us to finish the season on a high by beating Hartlepool in front of our own supporters.

"I expect the players to go into this game a bit more relaxed, but I still want them to be determined and to put on a good display.

"We've done very well away from home - staying unbeaten in four matches - but it's very important for me to get a first win at Roots Hall.

"Victory against Hartlepool will wipe the slate clean and make the home defeats a distant memory as we look ahead to next season."

Little, who finished his playing career at Hartlepool before serving the club as a coach for four-years, said he wouldn't be doing his old side any favours.

"I've got a lot of connections with Hartlepool and as a boy growing up in the nearby collieries they were my home town club, but there will be no room for sentiment tomorrow," he said.

One man who is relishing his first return to Roots Hall tomorrow is Hartlepool striker Gary Jones, who scored 11 league goals in 13 games during 1995 to keep Blues in the First Division.

"I've got some great memories of my time at Roots Hall and I'm looking forward to going back tomorrow," said the 30-year-old hitman.

"Playing First Division football for Southend alongside quality players like Ronnie Whelan and Mike Marsh has been one of the highlights of my career. Hopefully I'll mark my return with a goal."

Little will send out an unchanged side to take on Hartlepool who will have former England World Cup star Peter Beardsley in their line-up.

Southend (from): Capleton, Beard, Houghton, Coleman, Booty, Morley, Maher, Hodges, Burns, Roach, Livett, Clarke, Roget, McGavin, Conlon, Margetson.

Hartlepool (from): Hollund, Knowles, Clark, Barron, Ingram, Strodder, Beardsley, Di Lella, Miller, Jones, Freestone, Westwood, Stephenson, Baker, Hutt.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.