Two goal hero Gus Mafuta discusses his new role in the Hartlepool United line-up following impressive 5-1 win at Chesterfield

The ever present midfielder has earned plenty of praise for his tough tackling displays so far this season.

But after a frustrating match last time out at Boreham Wood, Mafuta was deployed in a less restricted, more attack minded role by manager Dave Challinor.

And Pools reaped the rewards as the 24-year-old netted a brace in a 5-1 win at the Proact Stadium.

“It was a brilliant result away from home,” Mafuta said.

“It was a different role for me where I had a bit of a licence to go forward and obviously I did that with the two goals but I should have had four to be honest if I’m being critical but I’ll take the two and move on!

Maftua opened the scoring with his second of the season as Pools dominated in the first half before Peter Kioso’s own goal just before the break.

“The first goal goal was important,” he added.

“During the season there’s been a lot of times when we’ve been on top and not taken advantage so it was important we got the goal at the right time then obviously Jamo’s [Luke James’] was an unbelievable finish for the second.

“We’re disappointed to concede just before half-time, it wasn’t a happy changing room at the break but we had to bounce back quickly for yourself and we did that.

“At 2-1, it felt like déjà vu at one point. They had nothing, without being disrespectful but they had one shot on goal before they scored and to give them a cheap goal like that is criminal to be honest and it’s something we need to cut out of our game.

“Still the performance is up there as probably one of the best this season but we know we can produce performances like that.

“We just need to do it more regularly and especially at home. We need to challenge ourselves as players, we’re pleased tonight but we’re not celebrating too much in the changing room, the result is done and dusted now and we move on to the next game.”