JAMES BROWN has thanked Hartlepool United team-mate Leon McSweeney for helping reignite his season.

The Pools striker, who netted for the first time since October in the 3-1 win over Colchester United on Saturday, was quick to acknowledge the part played by the winger.

McSweeney put in a pinpoint cross from the right which Brown met with a glancing header to bring Pools level two minutes after Colchester had opened the scoring in the first half.

He said: “My goal was all down to Leon. He put it right on my head. If I had missed I would have looked a bit of a donkey!

“It was obviously nice to get that goal.

“I’ve waited a long time for it, through injury and being on the bench. Hopefully I can get another one or two before the end of the season.”

Brown feels Pools’ current run of form can continue for the remaining three games of the season and pull Chris Turner’s side clear of the bottom pack.

And he hopes the crowds will remain on-side too.

He said: “When we went a goal down, sometimes there’s a drop in the crowd and they get on the players’ backs and the gaffer’s back.

“But they were brilliant today and that’s just going to inspire us to play even better, which it did.

“They were singing straight away when we conceded, which was nice for the lads, and we’ve repaid it with two goals and Roy has sealed it at the end.”

Brown has his sights set on another start at Walsall this weekend but admitted he won’t be back to full fitness until next season.

He added: “My fitness isn’t top but I don’t think that will come until next season.

“I’ve got plenty of time in the summer to work on that again.

“I say it every time, but I’d like to get a run when I’m not injured for a bit, at least not a major injury.”