FROM the Evo-Stik First Division North, to a fine performance against Derby County, the team second in the Championship. It’s been quite a leap for Lewis Hawkins.

The midfielder has been on loan at Spennymoor, but was recalled by Hartlepool United last week.

Pitched straight into the side for their FA Cup tie with Derby, Hawkins produced a fine performance as Pools lost 2-1.

Asked by boss Ronnie Moore to play on the right flank, Hawkins was industrious and energetic throughout.

It was only a fifth start for Pools for the 22-year-old, who moved to Pools from Horden CW in 2010.

He’s had two loan spells at the Brewery Field and now hopes he can press on with Pools and keep his place in the side for the weekend’s game with Wycombe at Victoria Park.

"It's been good to have played for Spennymoor, good for my fitness and it's great to have been playing,’’ he said.

"The last time I was there on loan, I got my game for Pools when I came back.

"It was nice to get my game against a very good team. It was good experience and great to be named man of the match.’’

He added: “The manager told me on Tuesday I would be back at the club and playing.

"I trained every day with Hartlepool and then try to show what I can do and play games on the Saturday for Spennymoor.

"The gaffer gets reports and DVDs from the Spennymoor games so he knows how I’ve been playing.

"It's gone very well. I've only scored once but I've been involved in a lot of goals.

"Unfortunately, I was sent off so had not played for four weeks.

"With Kal (Naismith) having gone back to Portsmouth that place is up for grabs now, so hopefully I can make it mine.

"There is a chance if I keep performing like that and keep putting the effort in.’’

And Hawkins admitted moving to the Brewery Field was a big boost in recent weeks.

"It was good to get out and get playing [at Spennymoor] rather than just training every day,’’ he reflected. "Spennymoor have been doing well, they want to go up. Jason Ainsley is a good lad, a good manager and he looks after you.’’

Pools were unfortunate to lose on Saturday, Darren Bent’s 85th minute winner separating the sides.

The home team took the lead when Jake Gray volleyed in, meeting the ball in front of the waiting Hawkins.

But they soon conceded a leveller and Hawkins added: "Even though we lost, we'll obviously take a lot of confidence from the game.

"If we do that every week and the crowd get behind us like they did then we'll definitely do well in the league

"When you hear the crowd like that it gives you an extra boost.

"The team will definitely build on that performance and take a lot of belief.

"We kept our shape well. We'll definitely get good things going for the rest of the season.

"It's definitely a benchmark it shows what we are capable of.

"But we can't just do it on occasions like the FA Cup, we have to do that every week."

Derby have gave their share of gate receipts from Saturday's the tie back to Pools.

Competition rules see the gate money split three ways - with the clubs taking 45 per cent and the Football Association the remaining ten per cent.

But the Rams have allowed Pools to keep 90 per cent of the takings, which will be around £23,000 from a crowd of 4,860. The visitors sold their allocation of 980 Rink End tickets.

Admission prices were reduced to £15 and £7 for the tie.