THREE games to go, three games to save their Football League status.

And, for Hartlepool United, the pressure should be off.

After being bottom of the table from October to March, Pools finally lifted off and out of the bottom two.

But since their unprecedented (in this season at least) four game winning run, things have stuttered.

Pools led 2-0 at Newport and drew 2-2. They came up against a thorough Southend side, pressed them all the way and lost 1-0, went to York and somehow managed to return with a 1-0 defeat against ten men after dominating possession.

And, on Tuesday, Marlon Harewood salvaged a point against Accrington, nodding Pools level following an insipid and nervous opening 45 minutes.

The first-half on Tuesday was extremely disappointing and, as they go to Luton this afternoon, they cannot afford a similar flat standard.

They have to perform with the life and verve they did in the second period in midweek.

Naturally, one eye will be on relegation rivals Tranmere and Cheltenham this afternoon, but for Ronnie Moore it’s all about Pools and what they do.

And he hopes they take the confidence form their second-half rally at Victoria Park into today’s game at Kenilworth Road.

“I don't think they need lifting, if they do there's something wrong,’’ said Moore. “There are three games to go, they know the position we are in.

“The trick is now handling the pressure that comes from being third from bottom.

“The pressure when you are bottom or second bottom is non-existent because you are expected [to go down]

“Now, we're not expected, all of a sudden it's ‘hang on a minute, we've got our head above water here' – and it’s how we deal with that.

“We have three games to go and I've said to the players they should just enjoy being a footballer.

“What pressure is there being a footballer? Go out and play and enjoy it and that's what we're trying to instill in them. Hopefully if that message sinks in then we're going to be all right

“There are three games to go and we're top of that league – let’s hope when we finish that last game at Carlisle on the final we'll be top of that league.’’

Six points from six in the last week would have seen Pools all but safe and instead it looks like going down to May 2 and Carlisle.

If nerves linger now, it’s hard to imagine the outlook at Brunton Park if all is riding on it.

Moore admitted: “I could smell the nerves a bit at the York game and we had a lot of possession without hurting them.

“They did look nervous on Tuesday and it's the first time I've felt the crowd nervous. Nobody really lit the blue touchpaper and no one could get going.

“All of a sudden Scotty Fenwick comes on and whacks the centre-half and then there's a bit of a melee and scrap.

“It gets everyone's blood boiling, the crowd was with us and from that moment on at least we were more effective as a team.’’

Harewood scored three minutes after his arrival as a late substitute on Tuesday. The striker has flattered to deceive on too many occasions, but is this his time to deliver?

“It's good for Maz, he's needed a goal, there's no doubt about that. Scott Fenwick could have scored too, he had a great chance to win the game for us,’’ said Moore, who could alter his recent 3-5-2 set up today into a 4-3-3.

“We've got the strikers there, it's just what formation we fit them into.’’

And Moore has maintained his cheery and positive nature throughout, joking at his press conference on Thursday with the media.

“We have three games left. Can I do something different? Like turn up in fancy dress as a football manager or something! I might surprise one or two!!’’ he quipped.

“Players here can play in different systems – suddenly people say 3-5-2 is very defensive, but we won four games in a row playing that way.

“I understand where they are coming from as the players have been tucking in too tight, so we can alter the system, but I’m not saying what we can do – apart from turning up as a football manager!’’