RONNIE MOORE has been around the block as a player and manager. Today the Hartlepool United chief is out to turn the clock back 28 years.

Pools face Exeter at Victoria Park, when victory could be enough to secure their Football League status and send both Tranmere and Cheltenham to the Conference.

And in 1987, the Rovers’ defender Moore faced Exeter with the club on the brink of relegation. Victory that day saw them safe. Same again today?

"This game stands next to one of the biggest games I have ever had, as a player and manager,’’ he reflected. "It was 1987 when I was at Tranmere and we played Exeter and it is funny how it comes round again.

"We won that game 1-0, and I will take that again! I was playing centre back that day, we had to win the game.

"We'll take one more than them on Saturday.’’

Moore is homing in on the 1,000 landmark as a football manager. He wants the 1,000 game he takes control of to be a Football League match with Pools next season.

Since taking over in December – and Pools were ten points short of safety in early January after losing at Wycombe – Moore has often said this has been his toughest job in football.

It could also be his most rewarding and his finest achievement too.

In 2000, he celebrated at Victoria Park as his Rotherham side won promotion from the bottom division following a 2-1 win as Pools headed for the play-offs for the first time.

"If we can stay up this season, it would be an unbelievable story,’’ he mused. “It was around about this time with two or three games to go that I won promotion with Rotherham here at The Vic, we won 2-1.

"That was a great day and this is our last home game, we don't want everybody limping away with their heads down.

"Positive thinking and positive thoughts that what a celebration we could have, if things go our way - but it is down to us.

"If we don't do our job then it counts for nothing.’’

Rovers go to Plymouth today, Cheltenham are at home to Shrewsbury. Plenty of attention will be on other results as Pools’ future unfolds.

Next week’s opponents Carlisle are now safe and Moore said: “We have two games to go and it’s down to us – when I arrived here we would have taken this opportunity if it was offered and I openly said Carlisle, last game of the season and a chance of survival we would have taken it.

“Now we are getting greedy and it’s all ifs, buts and maybes. And if we can play well, and win and maybe others lose then let’s do it. There’s a big crowd here, let’s show the fans who are desperate for us to stay up what we are all about, let’s go for it, squeeze the life out of Exeter and stop them playing and then, then maybe it might just be one of those games that don’t come around too often in football.

“I don’ want to know the other scores, but I’m sure the crowd’s reaction and people shouting and screaming will make it known – I’ll put some ear muffs in! It’s hard to hide from it, but I keep saying we have to win first and do our part.

“Do that and there might be a celebration, there might not.’’

Today’s opponents are outsiders for a play-off spot and could yet make the top seven, but need to win their last two games and rely on others slipping up.

Seven days ago, Pools went to Luton – play-off hopefuls themselves – and were rolled over 3-0.

Moore said: "We have not spoke about last week's game.

"The players don't want to let themselves down, me or the supporters down. We are lucky the last three weeks, the other teams have been as bad as us.

"I will guarantee now that someone will win on Saturday and we have to make sure it is us.

"If we have a bad performance, I'll guarantee we won't be where we are at this present time.

"I can't see any reason why we cannot win.’’

Pool have again reduced ticket prices today and hope for an enthusiastic crowd to help them over the line.

"Without doubt we owe the fans a big performance, the last one at home this season,’’ admitted Moore.

"When you consider what they have had to watch this season, bottom of the league and 3,500 still coming in.

"The atmosphere when we do play well is unbelievable.

"The last home game Scott Fenwick came on and whacked somebody and got the crowd going.

"We need to do it from minute one, not from the 60th minute.

"We need to come out all guns blazing and get them on the back foot.

"The side that I pick has to be mobile, has to be quick and full of energy.’’