PADRAIG Amond moved to Hartlepool United as a goalscorer with some reputation. But for all his 38 goals for Grimsby last season, he’s just discovered a new side to his game.

For 78 minutes he did a cracking job, disciplined and adventurous as a central midfielder, when Pools were down to ten men following the dismissal of Toto Nsiala.

He also managed to score his second goal for the club as Pools provided 90 minutes of pure entertainment and excitement against Newport County.

“As a striker when a red card comes like that you think there’s a striker coming off now as we make a substitution – it’s the natural thing,’’ he reflected.

“I’m prepared, make sure it’s good for the team. Instead I played centre-midfield for 65-70 minutes – I wasn’t expecting that before the game. It’s a new position or me, but Woodsy has been fantastic to me in there.

“He’s talked me through the game and Feathers has dropped in behind with Batesy and made it easy for me, telling me what to do. I’d like to think, I played my part in there.’’

Woods was equally impressive, Featherstone at centre-half likewise as Craig Hignett resisted the temptation to introduce a natural centre-half or midfielder to adapt to the situation.

Featherstone and Bates might not be the most physical or hardest centre-half pairing Pools have ever fielded, but you will struggle to find a more cultured one.

Woods was instrumental throughout, his footballing nous put to good use in keeping his new partner in check.

Amond added: “For the first few minutes after the red card I didn’t know where I was going. Feath and Woodsy and Batesy then came into their own telling me where to be.

“That’s invaluable, they’ve got the experience of playing there and at a good level.

“Woodsy was brilliant alongside me. When I’ve gone in there, I’ve gone a bit too attacking at first.

“I’m a striker, that’s my natural game, then Woodsy told me how to do the role and it might sound stupid but I needed someone like that to talk to me – I’ve never played central midfield before.

“I’ve joked to the lads in there that I’ve a new-found respect for central midfielders now. If you want to learn how to play centre midfield then come and watch me today and do the opposite!’’

The start to this game defied belief. Anyone arriving late – and there were a few – missed out.

One minute and 34 seconds: Featherstone passed to Woods, who chipped the midfielder through to compose himself and drill in his first goal for Pools and only his second in 245 career appearances.

Perhaps after his goal it should have been recognised this wasn’t going to be a normal day.

Two minutes and 40 seconds: A long ball from the kick-off bounced across Nsiala, who was caught out, stuck out an arm and was then sent-off.

Three minutes and 44 seconds: Sean Rigg’s free-kick went under the defensive wall and crept in.

It would have been easy for Hignett to introduce a natural centre-half or centre-midfielder, but sticking with his starting XI brought less disruption.

Boss Craig Hignett admitted: “We thought about putting Scotty Harrison on straight away, but Nicky can use the ball there and come out of defence with it.

“He was fine there. I wanted to try and keep all my forwards on, but if they started to lump it long against the centre-halves I would have put Scott on. I thought they would do that straight away, but they didn’t.

“In the end I didn’t need to use him until later on because we coped with what they had.’’

Featherstone against heavyweight Jon Parkin was a mismatch, and the striker’s goal was some effort, chesting the ball down, turning and volleying in from distance.

The Exiles then seemed to click how to play against ten men and kept simple possession, while stretching play. But they then got bored, switched off and Amond wasn’t going to miss out, and planted a free-header home from a corner after Pools regained the initiative.

He recalled: “I remember the ball coming in and when I headed it, it felt an age to go into the net. I’m delighted as it’s my first home goal.

“I’ve lost my marker and the referee spoke to us both before the incident. He said he was going to give a penalty or a free-kick, one way or another. The defender has stepped away from me a bit because of it.

“From my point of view I would take a chance there every day – if he gives five free-kicks, he might give one penalty, and I’d take that to be fair!’’