York City's former Hartlepool United keeper Scott Flinders in another relegation fight

The former Pools keeper will be the last line of the York City defence for a match the Minstermen must win.

The luckless 29-year-old is involved in his FOURTH successive relegation battle.

He had three skirmishes in a row during his six years at the Vic – he almost kept John Hughes’s side in League One and then played his part as Pools survived under Colin Cooper and Ronnie Moore.

Hignett worked with Flinders during his spell as assistant to Cooper in 2013-14 and hailed the Yorkshireman for his service – he made over 250 appearances which included a goal!

“Scott was great for us, a good servant for the club,” said Hignett. “But he has moved away and his loyalties lie at another club now.

“He won’t be doing us any favours. Like every player going back to a former club, he’ll want to do well.

“But hopefully we will work him.”

After surving in the Football League with Pools in 2014 and 15, it looks like being third time unlucky for Flinders at York.

The Minstermen threatened a revival in February with a run of three wins in four matches, but they have not tasted victory since beating Exeter 2-0 two months ago.

There is an ex-York presence in the Pools ranks though Michael Duckworth was released by the Minstermen as a youngster.

The 23-year-old made his Pools comeback in midweek at Notts County.