Hartlepool United's seaside blues are now a distant memory after that winning feeling returned for Neale Cooper's men at Chesterfield last night.

The Pool boss described Saturday's 4-0 at drubbing Blackpool as "embarrassing" - last night his side were anything but as super-sub Paul Robinson's second half strike proved enough to hand Pool their first win since beating Wrexham on October 30.

It was anything but plain sailing for Pool, although a first half opener from forgotten man Marcus Richardson - returning to the side following a loan spell at Lincoln - was well deserved for the visitors, who were in buoyant mood in the first half.

And despite a second half leveller from Middlesbrough youngster Jamie Cade, which brought a brief rally from the home side, it was the second half introduction of former Newcastle striker Robinson which handed Pool maximum points ahead of this Saturday's visit of Second Division basement boys Wycombe.

Cooper said: "It was vital that we bounced back tonight and we did. Major credit to all of the lads because this was a big game for us and we have come away with all three points.

"This was about character and the lads have shown plenty of it. I was looking for a bit more determination after the Blackpool game and the lads have dug in there under pressure to get a result.

"Marcus has claimed the goal and so he should. He had a couple of chances to score, his first touch could be a bit better at times but I thought he did exceptionally.

"I am also delighted for Paul Robinson because he has been going through a dip in form recently. But he has been the match-winner and he is rightly buzzing in the dressing room."

It was Eifion Williams, returning to the side after missing out at Blackpool through illness, who recorded the game's first effort after just three minutes, latching on to a long ball over the top from Micky Nelson, before sending a wild effort high and wide of Carl Muggleton's goal.

And it was the visitors who continued to look the more dangerous going forward, with Williams in particular causing the Spireites defence a few problems.

However it was Chesterfield - FA Cup semi-finalists six years ago - who came closest to opening the scoring when Marvin Robinson's attempted lob was superbly clawed away by Pool keeper Jim Provett.

Veteran midfielder Paul Warhurst, making his full debut, blazed over after 23 minutes for the home side.

But it was Pool who took a deserved lead minutes later.

Having made a hash of a glorious opportunity moments earlier, the returning Richardson - a late replacement for Gabbiadini, ruled out after falling over on a toy at home - found space in the box down the right before drilling in a goalbound effort off the unfortunate Ian Evatt to put Pool one up after 26 minutes.

The impressive Nelson almost doubled Pool's lead when his towering header from a Ritchie Humphreys corner was well held by Muggleton.

And as the visitors continued to dominate with their free flowing style of play, more frustration set in for the home support, with former Middlesbrough midfielder Mark Hudson coming closest to drawing Chesterfield level when he screwed just wide.

And only a superb point-blank save from Provett prevented the Spireites from equalising six minutes after the interval as youngster Jamie Cade - on loan from Boro - eased his way past the limping Nelson before being denied by the Pool stopper. But there was nothing he could do about Cade's leveller.

After the Pool defence struggled to clear under pressure from the bustling Robinson, the ball fell, albeit rather fortunately for Cade, who was left with the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

Darrell Clarke will be wondering how he didn't restore the lead when his close range diving header was miraculously kept out by Muggleton's one-handed save.

And after weathering a brief spell of pressure from the home side, the 70th minute introduction of Paul Robinson settled this lively encounter when, with 14 minutes remaining, he cut inside two Chesterfield defenders, before rifling low under Muggleton's body.

The home side rallied late on but Pool - marshalled superbly at the back by Chris Westwood and Nelson - held firm.

* Pool's youth team last night bowed out of the FA Youth Cup, losing 2-0 to Chester-le-Street

Result: Chesterfield 1 - 2 Hartlepool United

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