Salford City v Hartlepool United: FA Cup rivals to meet in pre-season friendly

Mikael Mandron takes on the Salford defence at Moor Lane

Hartlepool United have announced their first pre-season friendly - a return to Salford.

Pools will face Salford City at Moor Lane on Tuesday, July 26.

The clubs were involved in as herculean struggle to reach the third round of the FA Cup back in December.

The BBC-televised Friday night match at Moor Lane ended 1-1 before Pools squeezed through after extra time in the replay at Victoria Park.

The Reds had the best of the second game but were sunk by goals at the start and end of the extra half-hour by Scott Fenwick and Mikael Mandron.

Salford City, part-owned by Manchester United legends Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, recently won promotion to National League North, beating Workington 3-2 in the playoff.

The game will kick-off at 7.30pm