Hartlepool striker knocking on door of a Pools start

The Hartlepool United skipper scored the opening goal as Pools reserves won 2-0 at Chesterfield yesterday.

Paynter found the back of the net in the 48th minute when he diverted home a Brad Walker free-kick.

With boss Ronnie Moore watching on at Inkersall Road, the 31-year-old will have done his hopes of being in the XI which he sends out at Notts County on Saturday.

The Scouser, who has not started a League Two match since the 2-0 Halloween defeat at Wimbledon, was brought off 20 minutes from time yesterday and it will be a case of a job well done.

Paynter has got through 165 minutes on the field after coming back from an Achilles problem, scoring in the 4-0 reserve-team win against Rotherham and now yesterday’s success over the Spireites.

It set Pools on their way to a good victory as Chesterfield’s second string suffered their first reserve loss of the season.

The home side started the better in the difficult conditions.

But Pools settled and winger Kudus Oyenuga saw an effort blocked by defender Brad Holmes while Dan Jones saw a long-range wind-assisted attempt drift over.

John Hewitson’s team took the lead three minutes after the break when Paynter headed home Walker’s excellent delivery from the left-wing.

The Spireites threatened an equaliser but keeper James Dawson saved well from Dimaio.

Pools sealed the Final Third Development League points 10 minutes from time after Laurence Maguire was penalised for handball when he charged down a shot following a good run by Oyenuga.

With Paynter having made way for Jordan Jewson, Scott Fenwick picked up the ball and calmly beat the keeper from the spot

Davis Keillor-Dunne came close to pulling one back for the Spireites late on but Dawson made another save.

“At times we built up some good momentum in the game but perhaps lacked a bit of quality in the final third,” Hewitson told the club’s website.

“It wasn’t a great game because the pitch wasn’t the best and the wind made it very difficult for both sides but we battled away.

“The bright start to the second half was key and even though Chesterfield had chances to draw level it was pleasing to get the second goal late on and come away with the win.”

Chesterfield: Chapman, Graham, Holmes, Daly, Onovwigun (Marshall 70) , Dimaio, Keillor-Dunne, Greaves (Daswell 82), Maguire, Orrell, Morrison (Milner 62)

Subs not used: Parkin (gk)

Pools: Dawson, Richardson, Nearney, Turnbull, Jones, Smith, Walker, Magnay, Oyenuga, Paynter (Jewson 70), Fenwick.

Subs not used: Catterick, Elliott, Blackford, Jewson, Travers.