YORK City chief Terry Dolan is taking two steps back to push forward ahead of tomorrow's visit of in-form Hartlepool United to Bootham Crescent.

As part of his preparations, the City boss has vowed to dish-out some pertinent reminders to ward off any nightmare repeats from his players.

At the forefront of Dolan's thinking is Tuesday's sluggish first-half performance at Halifax Town which almost cost City dear in their fight to climb clear of the relegation quagmire.

It was only a much-improved second-half display that saw City claw back a goal to salvage a point and maintain their six-point advantage over the Shaymen.

But the City chief will also remind his players of City's last clash with Hartlepool back in October last year when the Minstermen crashed to a 3-0 defeat.

"They are on a very good run of form and if you look at the make-up of their team they have got some very experienced players," said Dolan

"As far as our players are concerned, they have only got to go back to the game at the Victoria Ground when they turned us over in a fairly easy style.

"I didn't like it at the time and the players will be reminded of that before Saturday."

He also vowed: "We won't start as sluggishly as we did against Halifax, I can assure you of that

"Our first half performance did not warrant getting three points.

"The way we played in the second half was much better but I was annoyed with our first-half performance.

"The players have been off a couple of days since Tuesday but they will be reminded of it between now and Saturday that is for sure."

Darren Edmondson, who travelled to Halifax but did not feature because of a hamstring niggle, will be included in the squad tomorrow.

With Chris Smith, substituted at half-time at the Shay, deemed fit Edmondson's inclusion is likely to be the only change.

"He has trained this week so hopefully he will be available and it gives us an alternative," said Dolan.

Central defender John Fielding also came through 60 minutes of the reserve team game at Scunthorpe in midweek.

The youngster, who has not played since September last year, will not be rushed back though, especially with Gary Hobson edging closer to a first-team recall.

Hobson, who limped from the 2-1 derby win over Hull City last month with a hamstring strain, has also returned to training.

Dolan is pencilling in his comeback for next Saturday's trip to Luton when Matt Hocking will be missing through suspension.

Richard Cooper (leg fracture) and Neville Stamp (hamstring) remain City's only long-term casualties. Both expected to be out for between four and five weeks.

Updated: 09:04 Friday, February 15, 2002