MATTHEW Bates has been praised for taking Hartlepool United back to basics in the battle to avoid dropping further down the football pyramid.

A victory for Pools at Victoria Park tonight will guarantee National League North status for a second year, despite carrying the fear of a fall into National League North around with them for most of this season.

To be in such a position with three matches remaining is testament to the work Bates has done during his ten matches in charge, despite a backdrop of financial uncertainty and a small squad drained of confidence to work with.

The 31-year-old, and caretaker manager, has got Hartlepool within touching distance of safety along with the unpaid members of his backroom team, Ross Turnbull and Ged McNamee.

Midfielder Nicky Featherstone thinks Bates deserves the plaudits for what he has done in such a short space of time, as they look to build on Saturday’s point from third-placed Sutton by beating Leyton Orient.

Featherstone said: “Batesy seems to have got the best out of a few lads who had maybe struggled a bit. No-one can really say they’ve had a good season, maybe apart from Scott Loach.

“He’s really simplified things, kept things basic. I think at this level if you are organised and good without the ball we have enough quality to hurt teams when we have it.

“We’re very well organised, he sees things. He’s not long been out of the game so he understands what players want and need.

“He’s obviously had a very good playing career and but for injuries he’d have played at a higher level for longer. He knows the game very well.

“I think he’s come out and said that he wants the job, he knows the club. But it’s not my decision, it’s down to those who are running the club now.”

Hartlepool’s new owner Raj Singh - who outlined his plan for the club at a National League meeting in Birmingham yesterday as he waits for ratification of his takeover -  is yet to make a decision on Bates’ future but Hartlepool’s improved fortunes have certainly given the boardroom something to think about ahead of next season.

First and foremost Bates must finish off the job of keeping Hartlepool up and regardless of what happens the former Middlesbrough defender will be grateful to both Turnbull and McNamee for helping out.

Bates said: “The two lads have been working for free. They enjoy what they do and they enjoy the people and what they are. They have the respect of the lads.

“I don't know if Ross wants to be a coach. I am not sure if he really wants to stay in the game. He might want to be a scout.

“He has not come to this club to raise his stock. If he wanted to be a keeper coach I am sure he would not be in the National League. They are working for free and they deserve a lot of praise for that.”

While Bates has embarked on his step into management, he has provided young midfielder Josh Hawkes with a chance to shine – and he is convinced the 19-year-old, who scored at Sutton, can achieve plenty in the game.

Bates said: “Josh has a bright future. He has a long way to go. For any young lad to be playing at this level at that age is brilliant. It is the best place for him.

“He will probably never come across a more physical side than he did on Saturday. You will not get that type of learning at the Under-23s anywhere else, you only get that in the first-team here.”

Hartlepool have lost just two of their last eight matches; form which has lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining. Woking, sitting between them and the bottom four, have played a game more and are four points adrift of Pools.