AUGUST Bank Holiday 2017 and Hartlepool United earned their first win of the season at the seventh attempt.

Twelve months on and it’s three wins from three and only one defeat in seven. They aren’t playing catch up in the National League this time around – they have started with promise and intent. There’s a different feeling around the place now and results and performances like this can only help.

Pools’ display epitomised everything Hartlepool United should be about: effort, commitment spirit. Never say die.

In the face on a long-ball barrage against Chesterfield, they more than stood up to the challenge. They showed they are made of sterner stuff.

Boss Matthew Bates said: “I was pleased today – showed our skill going forward first-half and then second-half defended really well against their threat.

“I’m thoroughly pleased with the lads and they are pleased too. We showed a great determination to see us through.

“We have a good group, the lads who were here last year have gone up a level and that’s from competition. They weren’t bad players last year, but just needed the right guidance. They are enjoying how they go about things and players demand a lot from each other.

“We aren’t pleased with two wins in a row, the pressure isn’t off. We win three, now we go again for a fourth.’’

The visitors launched four early long throws into the Pools area, and went close with their second, only a covering headed away by Ryan Donaldson saving Pools.

But, while the chucks from Sam Muggleton – his goalkeeping dad Carl played eight times for Pools on loan 30 years ago – were regular, the first effort on target in the game brought a goal.

Some fine hold up play from Niko Muir played in Luke James. He had no options in the area as all the work was done outside it. So he picked out Nicky Featherstone, and his low angled shot found the far corner of the net.

It was Featherstone’s second goal in as many home games. Ten days ago he had only scored twice in 165 outings for Pools.

Michael Woods should have made it two minutes later. Muir rolled him in and the midfielder burst into the area. Under pressure from the chasing defenders, he rolled his finish past keeper Callum Burton, but wide of the post.

Mark Kitching went close with a far-post header, Luke James fired wide. Pools were dominant going forward against a back three who were struggling to cope. They were so under the cosh they took off struggling centre-half William Evans and put an extra midfielder on to go 4-4-2 - and probably be even more direct with it.

The Pools defence had to be alert all game from set-pieces, which were fizzed in with intent.

Another long throw rumbled its way to the far post and Scott Loach held comfortably from Zavon Hines.

Loach saved from a low deflected shot from a short free-kick and some stout defending from Carl Magnay in the area blocked the follow up.

On 55 minutes, James pushed the ball through for Woods, this time Nelson got their first and almost touched it past his own keeper.

The game showed little signs of letting up, intense throughout. Some awful refereeing and desperately poor decisions from the assistant on the Neale Cooper Stand side added to the mix.

Bates mused: “I said before the game that it’s a compliment to the lads that Chesterfield matched up 3-5-2, but then they changed to 4-4-2 and we were still a danger – I was more worried and concerned about the ref to be honest. I can’t say too much, but the assessor was there today and I’m sure he will have his own thoughts on it.’’

When his assistant opted for a corner after visiting defender Hayden Hollis kicked it out, the sight of Pools' mascot H'Angus the Monkey giving him abuse said it all.

Four minutes of added time, Chesterfield threw five up front. From a corner, Hollis hooked over from close range. A goal kick was rightly awarded this time.

Pools may have dropped injury time points already this season, but they saw this out with ease against a team relegated last season from League Two and have now lost four in a row.