FOR Hartlepool United to achieve the near impossible, Ronnie Moore knows what needs to be done.

The problem is, with Pools nine points short of Football League safety, he won’t just have to win the manager of the month award once.

He will have to be do it three times and, if he were to, then he deserves to be manager of the year.

The gap was seven points following last weekend’s welcome win over Cheltenham. Defeat at Shrewsbury and wins for Tranmere and Carlisle means it’s nine – with an additional concern of a pathetic goal difference of minus 28.

Getting anything at Shrewsbury, who haven’t lost at home this season and last conceded a goal there was on October 28 when Chelsea’s Didier Drogba netted, was always going to be a massive task.

But for 45 minutes, Pools gave as good as they got and were even shading it on points. They defended firmly, looked organised and had chances.

The second half, it appeared, was one to look forward to. Instead the normal Pools resurfaced – soft, listless and flaky.

As soon as they conceded on 50 minutes, confidence evaporated and they shipped three goals in 18 minutes rendering the final quarter of the game a futile exercise.

“In the first-half we started well and Scotty Flinders hasn’t had a shot to save,’’ reflected Moore. “But you cannot defend the way we defended and that’s been the story of the season. It doesn’t matter if it’s me in charge or Joe Bloggs, whoever – we have all said the same things after games and you can’t defend like we did.

“They were sloppy goals, the second goal the ball is played between the full-back and winger and the cross comes in, free header down and striker is all on his own to score. We can’t defend, for all the possession we have had.

“It’s nine points again, we know we need to go on a run and I’ve got to get manager of the month. That’s what we need and if that happens then we have a chance.

“But I think we can take this first-half from this. For 70 minutes last week we were OK, for 45 minutes here we were decent, but how many times have I said that we can’t play  90 minutes.

“We just can’t seem to put that 70 minutes which will give you a win.’’

Victory at Tranmere on Saturday is utterly imperative. Nothing less will do.

Moore’s options are fairly limited. Attracting the sort of player he wants and needs to Victoria Park is proving impossible.

Who wants to commit themselves to a club heading out of the Football League?

Moore made one change from last week, Scott Fenwick missing out and Marlon Harewood, after three games suspended, back in the side.

The decision didn’t work, but Pools didn’t lose because Harewood started.

The striker has been a big disappointment in his year at the club and this was another sluggish showing.

"It was a massive decision,’’ admitted Moore of his change to the team.

"But I don't think Marlon being in affected it, he had a couple of chances in the game.

"I pulled Scotty to one side and told him 'look, they are a physical side and we needed that little bit more height at set plays for and against.

"Scotty understood that, he came on and he is going to be alright.

"I'm going to get him back in the afternoons and do a little bit of work with him and try and make him into a decent striker.

"He responded in the right way, no doubt about that.

"He was disappointed he wasn't starting, of course, but I don't think it was a decision that altered this game."

First-half and Pools took the game to the home side at times, they stretched goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler. He kept out testing efforts from Jon Franks and Michael Duckworth, while Rakish Bingham raised a shot over the bar from 20 yards.

It was a half of encouragement.

Then it all changed. Andy Mangan ran to take a pass, and managed to take it down, turn across and past Scott Harrison too swiftly and clip his finish home.

Then Neil Austin and Jack Compton were carved up far too easily on the left side, and Pools conceded another from a wide delivery.

Bobby Grant’s ball found Managn and he and James Collins laid off for each other before the latter’s finish.  Number three came from free header by Mangan.

Moore concluded: "First half there was nothing wrong with us.

"If you were a neutral you'd have thought we were the side in fourth position.

"But we have to be consistent and stop giving away sloppy goals. If we do that, we will win more games."