UPBEAT Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner last night issued a passionate rallying call to fans.

Pool face Blackpool at Victoria Park tomorrow night desperate to overturn a 2-0 deficit from Sunday's first-leg.

Turner could only look on as his side were comprehensively outplayed by Steve McMahon's side - and after witnessing the difference a vociferous home crowd made, the Pool chief is looking for his own fans to follow suit.

Pool have designated tomorrow night a Victoria Park blue and white night and are asking fans to turn the stadium into a cauldron of noise and colour as they strive to consign Sunday's display to the memory bin.

And Turner said: "The crowd have to come along and back us 100 per cent.

"We need them not to come along and hope, because that won't help us, we want them to encourage us from the start and keep us going.

"Blackpool's crowd on Sunday were right behind them from the off and their team responded. It was a nice, hot day and there was a real carnival atmosphere about the occasion.

"Creating an atmosphere like that can make a big, big difference and can put players under pressure.''

Attendances at Victoria Park have increased as Turner's side made their assault on Division Three that ended in a fourth place finish - a feat last achieved ten years back when Cyril Knowles' class of 1991 earned promotion.

"If our crowd can get behind us in numbers and noise like they did against Cardiff then we can give it our best shot.

"Supporters have been great all season and we want success as much as they do. The players know they weren't at the races on Sunday and there is a determination to put things right. We generally play very well at home. It's a big night and we need a big performance. ''

Chairman Ken Hodcroft is hoping the fans take heed of Turner's words and added: "We finished fourth in the table and that is very, very good for this club - it has been an improvement on last season.

"I think that if we play like we did against Cardiff then we are capable of beating anyone. There was a great atmosphere against Darlington in the play-offs last season and hopefully we can get a full house this time around.

"We are asking people to forget the past and we hope that any fans who came to see us recently have been impressed.

"We have a totally different set-up, a different and ambitious manager and different facilities.

"Hopefully, everyone who was at the Cardiff game will be back on Wednesday.

"It was a tremendous crowd - we can't expect it week in, week out, but we showed that day when we can do against a team already promoted.''

The Pool players had a light training session at Victoria Park yesterday and will be back on the training ground this morning.

Pool fans have until 3pm tomorrow to buy tickets., up to a maximum of three per person. Under 1,000 tickets remain and the Town End terrace is sold out. The club shop is open from 10am to 5pm today.

Tomorrow's game will be refereed by Uriah Rennie.

l The Football League insist the scrapping of the away-goals rule for the Nationwide play-offs will make for more entertaining matches.

The rule change was introduced last season and means that if the aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes of the second legs, there will be extra-time and penalties if needed.