IT TOOK two twists of fate for Damian Spencer to be in the frontline position from which he punished Town on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, below, wouldn’t have made his first start of the season had Jennison Myrie-Williams, the striker on loan from Bristol City, not fallen victim to a knee injury on the eve of the game.
And he would probably have remained in midfield were it not for forward Steven Gillespie being forced off in the 35th minute after taking a knock.
Boss John Ward replaced Gillespie with midfielder Ashley Vincent and pushed Spencer up front alongside Paul Connor.
Former Bristol City player Spencer had a knee operation in April and missed the start of the League I season.
His two previous outings this term had both been from the bench and Saturday’s were his first goals of the campaign.
He had pressed his claims for a return to the starting XI by scoring for the Reserves in a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth last Tuesday.
Saturday’s win was only the second of the season for Cheltenham.
Their first, 1-0 at home to Gillingham, was on the opening day on August 11.
Cheltenham are now 13th in a table led by Leyton Orient, who made it five wins from six with a 1-0 triumph at Yeovil.
Adam Boyd scored in the 57th minute.
Third-placed Hartlepool needed a 68th-minute goal by Joel Porter to salvage a 1-1 draw with Swindon, who led through Jon-Paul McGovern.
