TOP-SCORER. It’s a tag which you wouldn’t pin on Nicky Featherstone. After two goals in three games, the Hartlepool United midfield sits atop the club’s scoring charts.

Niko Muir and Liam Noble also have two each, but goals for Feathersone are a rarity. Before his current spell he only had two in almost 170 games for the club.

His second of the season was enough to see off Chesterfield at the Super 6 Stadium on Monday. It means Pools have won three in a row and suffered only one defeat in seven this season.

“It’s been lively in the dressing room after the game, there’s no better feeling than winning games and we’ve put three in a row together,’’ reflected Featherstone.

“Goal machine? I don’t know about that! But it’s nice to get on the scoresheet and the goals have put us where we think we should be and deserve to be at this stage of the season.

“Luke James pulled the ball back and my touch popped it up a little bit. I hit it on the half volley and it stayed true into the corner of the net.

“I scored at home last time and it’s not my priority to score – but it’s nice to get them. It’s not on my mind to start with, but opportunities have presented themselves.’’

Pools are at Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday and he added: “Monday’s game was a different type of win, we dealt with a lot of pressure from long balls, set-pieces and throw-ins. It’s answered a lot of questions for us – can we see out games now? Well we have won three in a row.

“The gaffer has had us working hard on seeing games out and we are very pleased with the outcomes.’’

And Featherstone echoed the sentiments of manager Matthew Bates in admitting the club’s summer recruitment has gone a long way to turning around their fortunes.

He said: “Maybe last season we may not have won this one – the last few years have been quite difficult. But this year feels a bit different with the stability off the field, the gaffer knows the players and we have brought some good lads in, good characters, good players.

“We have always had good players, but this is a tough place to play when it’s not going eight. We have signed characters, good strong individuals who aren’t afraid when it’s not going right. We haven’t been scared, but bad results have an effect on certain individuals.’’’