GRAHAM Turner believes Hereford United are ready for the challenge of League Two leaders Hartlepool United on Saturday.

The Bulls are in fine fettle following a run of eight points from four games, including a 4-1 demolition of promotion-chasing Lincoln City.

Turner's team travel to the North East to face a Hartlepool side who have not lost in the league since November 4.

They also won all five of their games in February, earning boss Danny Wilson the manager-of-the-month award.

But Turner thinks his side are capable of matching their hosts and giving their own promotion hopes a boost.

The United chief said: "We have relished any chances like this, we have always done well away from home against the top sides.

"They have gone 18 unbeaten and are top of the league. It's a big challenge but one which we can respond to.

"We have played well recently - especially against Chester," he added. "We should have won that game and beaten Rochdale, although they had chances.

"I am not too disappointed with the way it's gone. We have passed the ball a lot better, though."

Hereford have been dealt a blow with Dean Beckwith ruled out of the Hartlepool trip with a hamstring injury.

The defender, who has started the last four games, was replaced by Richard Rose in the final minute at Chester on Tuesday and is expected to be missing for the next two weeks.

Full-back Trent McClenahan, who played for 'Pool boss Wilson at MK Dons, has also suffered a hamstring injury while playing for the Australian Olympic team in Iran and could face a similar time on the sidelines.

Hartlepool have opened up a three-point gap at the top and are expected to be unchanged for the match at Victoria Park, but manager Wilson has every respect for Hereford.

He said: "They have got good pace and tempo and away from home they are very good on the counter-attack. They have had some remarkable results away from home and they have got to be respected."

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Bristol City boss added: "The only difference in a lot of teams in this division is consistency. On any given day any team can do well against another.

"Hereford were odds-on to lose against Lincoln last week and look what happened.

"Maybe it was a great performance from Hereford or a poor one from Lincoln or somewhere in between. But it showed if you sit back and expect the results to come then you can get a nasty shock."