Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor praises former Sunderland winger Luke Molyneux on goalscoring return in 2-0 win over Aldershot Town

Molyneux marked his comeback from a six-month foot injury nightmare with a goal and an assist inside the opening 20-minutes.

The former Sunderland winger turned in Rob Harker’s ball just five minutes in before his corner set-up Mark Shelton to double the hosts’ advantage.

And Challinor was delighted his decision to start the 21-year-old paid off.

“It was a big moment for Luke today,” he said. “When you’re coming back from a long term injury you tick things off like making your first appearance then move on to the first goal, first assist and first 90-minutes.

“He’s managed to tick off a few in one game which is great. Hopefully that will give him further confidence in all the work he’s been doing over the past few months and show to him that it’s all been worth it.

“It's important he uses it as a springboard to get better and hopefully have a big impact between now and the end of the season.

“It was a perfect afternoon in terms of the result which is the most important thing – even more so with games running out.

“We’ve played better and lost but it’s job done in terms of another win, clean sheet and two goals, which if I’m being critical should have been a whole lot more. Hopefully we’ve saved the five we should have scored for next week!”