Shay McCartan opened his account for the season in style on Tuesday – but he’s had to take everyone else’s word for it.

After a fine run through the Hartlepool defence, the young forward wasn’t able to watch his neat finish hit the back of the net for the opening goal. He later sealed a 3-1 win with his second goal.

“It was great to get on the scoresheet,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t really remember the first! I remember running at the defence but I didn’t even see it go in because I was looking at my feet.

“My second goal I just hit it and it took a slight deflection and went in.”

James Beattie spoke last season about the different sides to McCartan’s game and Stanley fans finally saw that in his two goals.

The 20-year-old only managed one in the whole of last season, when he admits he lacked self-belief.

“I was disappointed I didn’t have the confidence to do that when James Beattie was here,” said McCartan. “That was purely down to myself, I wasn’t confident.

“But I did well playing against Man United the other week and against Sligo and my confidence is high now so hopefully I can keep it going.

“It’s hard to explain,” he added. “You do one tiny thing in training and your mindset completely changes. You begin to believe you’re good enough at this level.

“The gaffer (John Coleman) said I’d get my chance. When Hunty pulled out, I got it, and I think I took it well.”