IT’S being billed as a bit of a grudge match. Ronnie Moore tomorrow takes his Hartlepool United side to Tranmere Rovers, the club from which he was sacked earlier this season.

But the Pools boss is relishing his return, desperate to go back and oversee a much-needed Pools win.

Pools are nine points short of safety in League Two, and Tranmere are the side sitting directly above the relegation line.

Defeat is unthinkable, victory imperative.

Moore was axed from his role at Prenton Park for breaking FA betting rules. He placed a £1 bet on Tranmere and Manchester United to win. The returns were £3.60.

He held his hands up, accepted the £2,000 FA fine and punishment. Losing his job, however, rankles.

“The atmosphere will be good – a bit of fun, people taking the mickey out of me there about how it ended, but I’m looking forward to it,’’ he said yesterday.

“I gave a lot of time as a player and manager and coach there, some really good years and they know how it ended. I’ve had really nice letters and emails from people there about it.

“I know a lot of people in the backroom staff, behind the scenes and it will be good to see them, but it’s not a holiday. It’s about a game, Hartlepool going there and being bright enough to win the game.

“You can be bitter as much as you want, there comes a time when it’s happened and what happened should not have happened – it was dealt with in the wrong way.

“If someone thinks you are guilty then you should be given an opportunity to present your case. It will be nice to go back and get a result, I enjoyed my time there but it was just sad how it ended.

“But that’s history, let’s make history here and get out of this mess here.’’

And what a mess Pools are in. Moore has one win and two draws from six games in charge. It’s not exactly a massive lift, but considering the state of the nation when he took control, it’s some big improvement.

He was hoping to land a striker yesterday, but it hasn't happen yet. One target, Chris Porter, yesterday left Sheffield United for Colchester, while he has also been trying to get Charlie Wyke in from Middlesbrough.

“It’s a must-win, they all for us. We are still playing catch-up. It’s tough and important for a lot of reasons,’’ he admitted.

“I’m excited about going back, I wish I could play in it – better than standing shouting orders and all that. I have spoke with the lads about it and they know how important it is not just to me, but the football club.

“They will give their all, it’s a massive one for everyone. We need to win, need to get on a run and we will be running out of games soon.

“At this level you are capable of winning three games on the trot, as much as you can lose three on the trot. We got one win, then had a good 45 minutes at Shrewsbury and it’s about 90 minutes and needing a 70-minute display.

“Get that and we can win a game. We can go there and have no fear, there’s nothing about the teams at this level – it’s a good competitive one, we can show no fear.’’

And Moore, who had two stints in charge at Prenton Park from June 2006-June 2009 and then March 2012-May 2014 overseeing 269 games, as well as two playing stints amassing 324 games, admitted: “I don’t want to make this personal, but it’s not about me against Tranmere, it’s about Hartlepool United going there and winning.

“Circumstances of how it all ended are personal to me. I want to go back and prove a point. It’s my opinion, I honestly don’t think Tranmere would have gone down if I’d stayed.

“I’ve nothing to prove to anyone there, I gave them good service and I want to go and enjoy the day, enjoy the atmosphere.

“They will have fun at my expense and I expect that. But I want my lads to perform, I don’t want any of them to let me down and if they do they will certainly know about it.’’