IT’S seven-up for Hartlepool United as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven games, with a fiery 2-1 win over Mansfield.

Two Pools penalties from Billy Paynter – on his 500th career appearance - proved the difference as the Stags, down to ten men for over an hour, fought ferociously in a game full of effort and honesty.

The first-half was all about former Stags winger Nathan Thomas, now at Pools, who caused problems galore for his former club – and angered the travelling fans in the process.

Eight minutes in and the Stags had their first opening, Matt Green sending an angled header across, which drifted wide of the far post.

At the other end, Paynter bounced a header over the bar from a teasing Thomas cross.

And on 21 minutes the game exploded into life.

Nicky Featherstone broke from deep in between the centre-halves and closed in on goal. Scott Shearer came out to block, but centre-half Krystian Pearce made up the ground, only to wipe out the midfielder.

Referee Graeme Salisbury red-carded Pearce and awarded a clear penalty.

Billy Paynter sent it low into the corner and, despite Shearer getting a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out.

Thomas infuriated the 314 away fans by celebrating in front of them, and skipper Lee Collins angrily grabbed his former team-mate. Both players were booked.

The left winger, flourishing at Pools since his January switch, crossed for Paynter and centre-half Ryan Tafazoilli and Shearer collided, with the keeper spilling the ball.

At the other end, Green was denied a shot by a firm Matty Bates tackle, before Collins hacked a shot over the bar from 12 yards.

Pools’ keeper Carson then made two majestic saves in a minute to keep out a leveller.

First he went one-handed to deny Green from close range, before he somehow got down low at his far post to claw out a goalbound Tafazolli header.

And the leveller came on 75 minutes, when a long Chapman throw in ended with Daniel flashing a fine volley high into the net.

But Pools got ahead controversially ten minutes later, left-back Malvind Benning needlessly tripped Carl Magnay in the area – the Stags felt it was outside the area – and Paynter slammed home his second spot kick.

Pools have taken 17 points from a possible 21 and are now 17th on 45 points, 16 ahead of second-bottom York.