Hartlepool United man of match sorry to see Ronnie Moore sacked but says Pools must move on

The full-back helped Craig Hignett to a winning start as Pools boss as his 71st-minute corner was thumped in by the head of fellow defender Adam Jackson.

It gave the side a 2-0 lead after Billy Paynter had put Pools ahead 13 minutes earlier from the penalty spot.

Richards was thrilled with his second assist in as many games, but spared a thought for Moore, who was sacked last Wednesday in the aftermath of the 2-1 home loss to Stevenage.

“It’s not nice to see anyone lose their job, you do get attached to some managers,” said Richards. “Some people like managers and some don’t but, for me, it was a shame to see Ronnie go, an honest guy, a top bloke, I think everyone would say that about him.

“It’s unfortunate but we now must all move on.

“It was a great header from Jack, over the moon he scored because it’s always nice to get an assist.”

Richards was adjudged man of the match, as judged by sponsors, Navigation Taxis, and it was a thrill for the right-back, who has played the last month, having missed the first four months of the season with a back problem.

“It was nice to hear, I’ve waited a while,” said the 22-year-old. “I had an injury at the start of the season and then I’ve had to bide my time, recover, play for the reserves, wait for a chance.

“I got my chance against Derby and I’d like to think I’ve done well enough to keep my place in the team.

“Ronnie gave me a chance and I’d like to thank him for that.

“It’snow down to me after that to try to play really well to stay in the new gaffer’s team.

“It was a great start for him. “We only had two days before this game with him.

“We just have to try to buy into everything he wants to do.”