RONNIE MOORE is finding out how tough it is to attract players to Hartlepool United.

Bottom of the Football League by ten points, Moore’s search for new recruits to boost his squad and try and lift the club’s fortunes is proving difficult.

He missed out on centre-half Michael Raynes yesterday, when he signed for Mansfield after his release from Oxford.

Last week Moore landed three loan signings in Rakish Bingham from Mansfield, Aaron Tshibola from Reading and Sunderland’s Scott Harrison.

They all played in the weekend defeat at Wycombe and Moore admitted: “We have had really hot irons in the fire and got nowt in the end. We thought we had players last week who turned us down at the last minute.

“There’s a lot to work at and we have a list as long as my arm and we are trying to get people in. The position we are in doesn’t help.

“We have to be wise and look about at what we think will benefit. We think the lad up front will get goals, especially with someone up there alongside him.’’

He added: “They are all going to be loans at this moment in time, unless there’s someone there we can get. At this moment clubs are looking to loan.

“I’ve had Scott in and I thought he did brilliant. I’ve watched him in training, but not in a competitive game. One slip in the first-half aside, which he recovered from, he did well.

“Him and Dan Jones did well together up against players who know what this league is all about.

“I think it’s a pat on the back for them.

“We have signed Nicky Featherstone for another month and have a look at him and he had a little go. We need a couple more in.

“The reserves play midweek and we will give players a chance in there, I’ve a rough idea of what they are about but it will be nice to see them in action.’’

Pools have reduced ticket prices for the next two home games with Cheltenham and Plymouth.

Prices for this Saturday’s game with Cheltenham are £13 for adults and £7 for concessions, while fans can buy for both games in January at a special rate of £20 for adults or £10 for concessions.

New owners TMH 2014 ran similar offers for the festive fixtures against Oxford United and Morecambe and chairman Peter Harris said: “We were really happy with the response from the town to the previous tickets offers and we’re hoping for the same again.

“We have said all along that the fans can play a huge role in our fight for survival and we are going to need them more than ever in the second half of the season.

“Now that Ronnie has been able to add a few new faces to the squad as well, we hope that the supporters will want to come along and see them in action at The Vic this weekend.”

Fans wanting to take advantage of the two-game offer must buy in advance from the Victoria Park ticket office.