WHEN Wigan Athletic booked their place in the Premiership at the weekend people sat up and took notice. But Martin Scott believes Hartlepool United will take a step of equal enormity if they can become a Championship club.

Pool, written off nine days ago after Neale Cooper's departure, embark on their fifth play-off campaign in six seasons tonight when Tranmere Rovers visit to an expected sell-out crowd at Victoria Park.

But, following Saturday's heroic draw at Bournemouth that clinched a top six finish, under the temporary charge of Cooper's former assistant Scott there is a buoyancy around the town again and a belief that a trip to Cardiff for the final can be secured.

Just the mere fact that Pool, with an average attendance of around 5,500, are contemplating life just one leap from the Premiership and fixtures against Leeds United and Leicester is, quite frankly, unbelievable.

And the prospect of guiding one of the North-East's smaller football relations into the Championship is certainly not lost on Scott, the former Sunderland defender who hopes to be handed the manager's job permanently.

"It would be an unbelievable story, the equal of Wigan going up to the Premiership in its own way," said Scott, the former youth team manager before becoming Cooper's No 2 two years ago.

"If we do it, Hartlepool would be one of the smallest clubs ever to play in the second tier of English football, maybe even the smallest.

"You look at Crewe and they have to be the role model for clubs like ourselves. They're a similar size, have a similar fan base and an excellent youth policy - it's one we're looking to have here. And, of course, they have stability in that Dario Gradi's been there for so long.

"This club has been overachieving for the past few seasons. Winning promotion into this division was an over-achievement, staying up when everyone predicted we'd go straight back down was over-achievement and reaching the play-offs last season was over-achievement. This season is, I believe, an even greater achievement than last because of the injuries we've suffered."

Having been at the club since being installed as youth team coach during Chris Turner's reign, Scott has had a momentous part to play in the development of dozens of talented youngsters.

Antony Sweeney, Matty Robson, Jim Provett and John Brackstone are just four of those to have emerged after working under Scott, while the likes of Andy Appleby, David Foley and Darren Craddock have all played for the first team.

It is the five-year apprenticeship he has served in his other roles at Victoria Park that he believes has ensured he shares a special relationship with the group of players he leads into the Tranmere game tonight - and a relationship he hopes will ultimately land him the role full-time.

"It's taken time for me to gain the respect from the players. I came in as youth team coach and a lot of them used to watch me play for Sunderland. I don't know if that's good or bad," he said.

"But they know what I have achieved in the game as a player and they know what I'm like as a character. I demand high standards but also I'm fair and honest. I like a good laugh at the right times and that's why I have had to work hard to get their respect, you don't just get it overnight."

Scott, despite being the fans' choice to become the club's 38th manager, is eager to make the step up to be the main man on the touchline, dictating tactics to his players.

The 37-year-old - thought to want Leeds coach Steve Agnew as his assistant if his wish is granted - insists he is ready for such a position but claims to have not heard anything from chairman Ken Hodcroft.

"It's been hectic, it's been enjoyable and very intense. There's been nothing but praise I have for the players because they have been spot on since the Thursday morning," said Scott.

"In difficult circumstances, considering the timing of everything, they have done a great job. We now have to do a job against Tranmere. There's no talk on the position because I don't want anything to interrupt what's going on before Friday. Everything is on the back burner because we have to concentrate on Friday. Whether that will be a positive or a negative for my hopes of getting the job we will just have to wait and see."

Scott looks able to recall Joel Porter for this evening's clash after missing out at Bournemouth last weekend with a thigh problem.

Otherwise Pool are at full strength and there are strong hopes that they can finally win a play-off game tonight and make it through to the final at the Millennium Stadium.

"We look back on last season as a great season even though we lost to Bristol City in the play-offs," said Scott.

"We learnt so much from that first season in League One. But Tranmere have beaten us twice and over 46 games they are a better team than us, it's going to be tough."