ADNAN AHMED can't wait to get cracking at Hartlepool tomorrow after netting his first Town goal.

The 21-year-old midfielder notched the vital fourth goal in Saturday's 5-3 win against Stockport, which lifted Peter Jackson's side to within striking distance of Coca-Cola League I safety.

You would get long odds on Town ending a run of seven successive away defeats at Victoria Park (7.45).

But that doesn't deter Ahmed after the promise of another senior contract at the Galpharm Stadium.

"There are a lot of points still to be played for and, having beaten Stockport, it would be fantastic to put back-to-back wins together," he commented.

"It's something we haven't done often this season and, recently, we've had a lot of tough away games which haven't quite gone our way.

"Hartlepool will be another tough test, but the lads are all buzzing after Saturday's win, we know we are on a big learning curve as young players and we are all determined to put some better away results on the board before the end of the season."

Ahmed was not involved in yesterday's practice match at Storthes Hall between the Reserves and Academy which featured trialist left-back Danny Adams, the 29-year-old who has been released by Stockport.

Following eight successive starts, Ahmed could well be partnered by the returning captain Jonathan Worthington tomorrow, when a win would take Town beyond the precious 50-point barrier.

"I'm working to make myself a regular in the first team and knowing that I'm going to be offered a new contract when we are safe this season is a big boost," added Ahmed, who was watched by his Burnley-based family when scoring against Stockport.

"I have always been determined because it's not easy to get into this position of playing in the League and, now I've got the chance after being patient, I want to make the most of it with Town.

"I'm working on my set-pieces, which keep me in the game, and I'm looking for the consistency which I know the manager is after.

"The most important thing, though, is that the club gets the points we need to be safe in this division and then to finish as high as we can."