FIVE days after their Football League status was secured, Hartlepool United’s players got back to work.

Their reward for their life-saving win over Exeter on Saturday was a few days rest and recuperation following the tense exertions of a relegation battle.

Pools go to Carlisle tomorrow for an end of season celebration, but only after being worked hard in training at Victoria Park yesterday morning.

Striker Scott Fenwick and defender Scott Harrison were already desperate to get back to work, and Moore admitted: “It all still feels surreal.

“There was a strange atmosphere when they got into training Thursday morning because we hadn’t seen them for a few days.

“I’d said to them on Saturday ‘you do your part then you tell me when you want to come back in’.

“After the game someone had put on the board in the dressing room ‘we’re staying up, fancy dress. 10.15am Saturday’. I thought we can’t really go that far - we have to stay a bit professional!’

“They got a right blasting in training though as they have had their rest days!

“It was their reward.

“It was a long Saturday night, an enjoyable one and certainly a long Sunday and I just about recovered Monday. I promised I wouldn’t have another drink and then at 5.30pm I thought ‘sod it’.

“I had another couple of glasses of wine, it has been hectic and I need to give my liver a rest!’’

Tomorrow’s game at Brunton Park looked like being a final day showdown, with both sides fearing relegation. Carlisle were first to secure safety, a week before Pools.

And, while both teams have absolutely nothing to play for, and Pools will be backed by almost 2,500 supporters – many dressed up as Bob Marley – Moore said: “You always want to win a game but the team that plays Saturday won’t be the team that starts the new season in August.

“It is about the players going out and enjoying it, don’t do anything stupid. There is no pressure, just express yourself.

“I will still be angry at half-time if they aren’t performing though.

“There are more than 2,000 people going to watch us, and I know they are having a day out but they still want us to win so it is not a matter of just turning up and getting into the party spirit.

“You go and enjoy the day – I’m sure they will and Keith Curle has done a good job there to ensure they are playing in League Two.

“There will be a good crowd in, the big thing is there’s no pressure and it’s nice to play a game without pressure.

“We can’t go any higher or lower in the table. We go and be professional, do the right things and enjoy it.

“The support has been fantastic all season, they always get dressed up for the final away game and supporters can go, get dressed up and enjoy it.’’

While the Pools fans will be clad in their traditional end of season fancy dress, Moore won’t be following the lead of Rotherham boss Steve Evans. He has promised to turn up for their last game, at Leeds, in shorts and a sombrero.

Moore joked: “Steve Evans said he will get dressed up if they were safe, but I wouldn’t like to see him a pair of shorts and take his shirt off – a total eclipse of Rotherham... only joking Steve! I did think of taking a deckchair and a cigar and a glass of brandy, but it might be a bit too far that one!

“It’s been a tough job here, very tough. As hard as a job can be, but I was out of work and I was very lucky to get an opportunity here.

“We were seven points adrift and then soon nine and ten and then you start to wonder if it’s really going to happen.

“But you have to thank the players and staff for their efforts and the achievement.’’

Pools will be without Dan Jones tomorrow, the defender needs a wrist operation. Loanee David Mirfin is back at Scunthorpe, his toe injury keeping him out and Moore confirmed Ebby Nelson-Addy will make his first start.

The last remaining tickets are on sale at Victoria Park until 4pm today.