A SMILE, a joke, a run of positive results and Hartlepool United have made a fight of their relegation battle.

Seemingly doomed to the drop a month ago, Pools fortunes have been transformed. And they take on Southend at Victoria Park this afternoon with a spring in their Easter step.

It’s stark contrast to the morose feeling hanging around the club all season.

Pools are out of the bottom two, on the back of four wins a draw from five games.

Good Friday’s point at Newport, when they were a tad disappointed on one front not to win after leading 2-0, was a positive return.

And defender Scott Harrison admitted the turnaround in fortunes is down to the gaffer.

"A lot of the recent revival is down to Ronnie Moore,’’ said the centre-half. "He has a laugh and a joke when he needs to but is serious too when he needs to be.

"He has the perfect balance with the lads in the squad.

"He wasn't afraid to criticise us and if you deserve it he will give you the praise, 100 per cent.

"And if you don't he won't.’’

Pools have upped their game in recent weeks, with a first win at Morecambe on April 14 the start of the turnaround.

They have left it late, but Harrison admitted: "The penny for me dropped a while ago, you shouldn't have to wait until the end of the season to start battling for wins.

"Now we have four wins on the bounce and a draw and the momentum is with us.

"There is a real determination about us now, definitely.

"All the lads have that, to not let chances slips like we have done previously.

"We have gone from the win away at Morecambe and flown.’’

Pools have switched to a 3-5-2 set-up of late to coincide with the improved results. Taking out the wingers from the side and strengthening the spine in numbers has proved a boon and it’s a formation Harrison enjoys.

"Me and Dan (Jones) like having the ball and Mirf is the old man in the middle! But he helps us out so much, the information comes from him all of the time,’’ he said.

"Sometimes you cannot take it all in but at least he is trying to help us out.

"Sam Collins has been a big help on the training ground too, he knows the game and is experienced.

"He helps us out no end and tells us things in training that help us in games. We have benefited from working with him."

With admission prices again pegged back today to £12 seating and £10 standing, with half-price concessions, Pools are hoping for a bumper crowd. They had over 5,000 for their last home game and, after sending everyone home happy with victory, are confident of attracting a lot more on a Bank Holiday.

And Harrison wants to reward the fans with another victory.

"Now we are out of the relegation zone, and we have taken the chance, we hadn't done that all season,’’ he admitted.

"It just shows the difference at the club and it is nice to look at the league table for once.

"I'm not sure what has changed in recent weeks, but the spirits of the lads are really up, that is one thing.

"The other is that now everyone is working their socks off for the team, there is not just five or six players that are doing it.

"Everyone is playing their part and it shows in the results.

"The full 11 players on the pitch, chipping in and doing their part.

"And that starts with the strikers, running their socks off and closing down.

"That puts the pressure on them and if they didn't then the defenders can play the ball where they like.’’

Pools will field the same side today from Friday’s draw. Phil Brown’s side sit in fifth spot having beat Mansfield on Friday.

Promotion looks a long shot with the Shrimpers eight points short of the automatic places.

Moore and Brown go back a long way. Brown started his playing career at Pools and the current boss said: “Browny is a big mate of mine and I have seen quite a lot of him lately. He is an experienced manager, has been in the Premier League, but he is still out watching all of the games I go to.

“He is a good lad and a good mate but if we have to nail them on Monday, then we have to!”

“Southend are also in the play-offs, it is another tough game and we have it all to do.

“No doubt about that but we are a team third from bottom and we just need to do our jobs and play with some freedom.

“Momentum at this stage of the season is massive and we are on a good run of form.

“If we play like we did first half against Newport then there aren’t many teams that will live with us.

“Hopefully, with the ticket offer again we’ll get another 5,000 plus into The Vic and we are all looking forward to it. We need to set the tempo at home and hopefully we can get the result we need.”