Bulls fans will be hoping the curse will strike on Saturday after Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson was named as manager of the month for February.
He beat a shortlist of Gary Peters (Shrewsbury), Jim Gannon (Stockport), and Dave Penney (Darlington) after recording five straight league wins in February. Wilson also won the award for September, but lost the subsequent game 2-0.
Wilson told the official Hartlepool site: "I'm delighted because it's recognition of how well the boys have done over this period of time. We could have had it two or three times in the past but this time it's particularly pleasing at this stage of the season because it means you're in a decent position in the league.
"The only reason anybody loses a football game is because the performance, attitude or work ethic isn't as good as it has been before. It's nothing to do with Manager of the Month, that's for sure - it's down to us and what we do on the pitch."