DUMPED AND UNLOVED at Carlisle, wanted and loved at Hartlepool United, Billy Paynter is playing football with a smile again.

After a traumatic year at Brunton Park, Paynter has a point to prove.

And with his goal on Saturday, his assist, and his positive outlook, you couldn’t help but sense he was sending a message to Keith Curle.

The Cumbrians boss ostracised him last season, making him train with the youth team, he felt he was portrayed as a bad egg in the dressing room.

Yet at Victoria Park he is the dressing room leader, the focal point of the attack and the newly-appointed captain.

As he spoke after the game, you sensed he wanted to say more – to fire a barb at his former employers.

Sometimes, however, actions speak louder than words and his goal and assist spoke volumes of his fresh outlook.

"It is nice to be wanted first and foremost, the manager has shown that faith in me,’’ he reflected. “He has shown trust in me.

"To give me the armband first and foremost and when you are wanted it just gives you a real confidence.

"I didn't know what to do at times, it was the first time speaking to the referee etc.

"It is a learning curve but one I am relishing.’’

The head of a relatively young team, the 31-year-old is the experienced head. And he has no qualms with the younger players looking up to him and tapping into his experience – it’s something he’s done before as a player.

"It is nice because when I was young I looked up to the senior pros and asked them,’’ he said. "You want to learn, what better way than with experienced pros who have been there and done it.

"I pull them to one side and give them some advice.

"I was with Sam at Port Vale and he was a moaner but got the best out of us! He then jumped on a move to Hull with me, I don't know how he got that like!

"I have settled in here, and have known Sam quite a while. I know Tony Caig from Carlisle too, he has great experience.

"I came across the gaffer many times in my career too."

Pools lined up with an adventurous 4-3-3 formation, a surprise after Moore opted for 3-5-2 throughout pre-season.

But injuries and the will to try and stifle Morecambe’s mobile set-up forced Moore’s hand.

The only time they struggled with it was when the visitors stretched play in the second half and used the space on the flanks.

Pools did ride their luck at times, as the visitors twice hit the bar and squandered chances which should have been converted.

Moore is building a new side at Victoria Park, full of energy and movement. Rakish Bingham scared defenders with his willingness to chase and harass, while Michael Woods’ link-up play and ability to create openings from nothing was a key part of the operation.

There’s work to be done with the defensive line, but they appear to be an organised and determined unit.

In goal, Adam Bartlett might have arrived as back up to Trevor Carson, but he was safe and solid throughout with Carson facing a few weeks out with a fractured toe.

Paynter’s opener came when Woods’ shot was palmed away and Bingham was alert and swift enough to collect the loose ball. He picked out Paynter and he turned in from close range for his 100th Football League goal.

Paynter returned the favour later on. Woods found the striker, whose neat lob over the back line played in Bingham to crack in.

 

After the opener, Pools squad gathered raced to the scorer and they all hit the deck. “Grenade” shouted Paynter after the squad was traumatised by the call during their week-long boot camp at Catterick Garrison.

So they dropped in unison, commando crawling along the deck.

Paynter quipped: “The first one to score had to shout grenade and then we all dropped to the deck!

"There is a great spirit here, from day one I knew there was a good bunch of lads, all sticking together.

"That showed last year with the heroics of last season, a real togetherness and I am happy to be a part of such a tight team.’’

Victory carried on the feelgood factor generated by last season’s drama. Getting off to a winning start – Pool’s first opening day victory since 2008 when they beat Colchester 4-2 at Victoria Park – was a real positive.

Compared to the outlook at the start of last season, this appeared a world apart. A campaign of improvement and enjoyment beckons.