York City manager Terry Dolan is looking to turn fire-starter at Bootham Crescent to get the home fires burning.

Tomorrow's visit of Hartlepool kick-starts a run of four home games out of the next five for City with Dolan accepting the Minstermen have not made the most of the advantage this season.

Indeed, City have not savoured a win at Bootham Crescent for more than three months, since the 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town on December 2.

But after two morale-boosting away-day performances, Dolan is looking for City to slay another bogey with tomorrow's visit of the Pool.

"It should be an advantage playing at home but it hasn't been recently," conceded Dolan.

"As the Rochdale game gave us a lift by putting to an end the losing run a win on Saturday could give us a boost for the next three out of four at home."

Dolan admits Hartlepool, who have gone 14 games unbeaten, offer a stern test of those hopes.

"They are doing very well but one of the reasons for that I think is because they have had a settled team," said the City chief.

"It is a great opportunity for us to put that winning run to an end.

"We have got to approach the game as we did the last two when we were also playing against two of the top teams in Rochdale and Brighton.

"It is a great opportunity for us to carry on the good work we have done over the last two games and get a home win for our supporters."

Dolan admits, because of the situation at the foot of the Football League, the next few weeks promise to be tense.

"There are eight teams down at the bottom fighting for their lives and with everyone playing each other over the next few weeks I don't think there is going to be that much change in the teams down there," he explained.

"We have got make sure we are positive in everything we do and we are not one of those seven or eight teams when it gets to the middle of April."

The City chief is likely to keep faith with the side that started the games at Rochdale and Brighton.

Striker Lee Nogan has shaken off a slight knock picked up against the Seagulls and trained yesterday and is expected to link-up with Scott Emmerson again in attack.

Dolan will resist the temptation to bring back Gary Hobson and Alex Mathie. Both missed out on chances to boost their match fitness when the midweek reserve game at Halifax was postponed due to snow.

Graham Potter and Neville Stamp are still ruled-out with ankle and calf problems respectively but are said to be on the mend.

Potter is expected to join Darren Edmondson in returning to full training next week.

Updated: 12:52 Friday, March 02, 2001