Fans at Moss Rose on Saturday are unlikely to have to queue long for their half-time cuppa.

The match between Macclesfield and Barnet is not a fixture that stands out on the Pools coupon, but the two teams are expected to set an unenviable record by registering the lowest attendance in the Football League this season.

Macclesfield, in terms of numbers, are the worst-supported team in League Two and Barnet are not that far ahead of them.

Combine this with the fact that attendances on the weekend before Christmas traditionally suffer, as fans are reluctantly dragged around the shops, it is highly likely supporters will have plenty of room to swing their rattles, should any still possess them these days.

The current lowest gate in League Two this season is 1,576 for Macclesfield's home clash with Mansfield. There is every chance Saturday's Moss Rose gate will not reach that total.

The Silkmen have an average of just 1,926. The next worst in the league is Bury, whose average is 2,530. Barnet's average, the third worst in the division, is 2,590. The lowest league crowd this season at Underhill (1,796) was against Bury earlier this month.

But Saturday's match in Cheshire is unlikely to be a non-event, regardless of how many are there to witness it.

Both sides are desperate for the points and it is being described as yet another six-pointer'.

The Bees will be looking to put Saturday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Northampton Town well and truly behind them.

Barnet captain Ian Hendon should return to the side after missing that game due to a chest infection, while Simon Clist, who came on as a sub against Northampton and was given a run-out for the reserves in the 1-1 friendly draw at Aylesbury on Tuesday night, could be in line for a starting berth following his return from injury.

Ironically, Carlisle United, the team that came up with Barnet from the Conference last season, currently have the best average attendance so far. Meanwhile, high-flying Rochdale and under-achieving Bristol Rovers are living proof that it is not all about the size of your gates.