Hartlepool will host Colchester in the season opener at Victoria Park on August 9.

The Us return to League One after two seasons in the Championship and will provide a stern opening- day test, while Pools will also face Tranmere and League One new boys Stockport and Hereford in the first month of the new campaign.

Danny Wilson's men will travel to Scunthorpe on Boxing Day and finish the season at Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium on May 2.