the club's top scorer later in the 2004–05, in a 1–0 win over Mansfield Town on 11 August 2004. However, Hackett sustained suspected medial ligament damage during a 0–0 draw against Leyton Orient on 21 August 2004, and did not return until 25 September 2005 when he came on as a substitute in the second half and set up two goals in a 3–1 win over Bury. Hackett soon regained his first-team place for the side, setting up both goals against Cambridge United in a 2–1 win in Ramón Díaz's first match in charge on 11 December 2004. On Boxing Day 2004 he scored his first goal of the season, against Rushden & Diamonds, in a 3–3 draw. In a 2–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers on 1 January 2005, he was sent off in the 34th minute "for kicking out at Tony Craig on the ground" and served a three-match ban as a result. He scored on his return from suspension on 22 January 2005, in a 3–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers. He scored twice in a 3–1 win over Mansfield Town. after which his performance was praised by Horacio Rodriguez, who said: "We decided to play Chris up front on Friday, and it worked very well as he scored twice." Hackett was said to be "enjoying the best form of his career", due to his "pacy bursts down the right, and much-improved crossing and dead-ball deliveries." Hackett appeared 39 times in the 2004–05 season, scoring four times, all in the league. Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Hackett was linked with a surprise move to French giant Olympique de Marseille, but it went no further than a trial. He started the season well, setting up the equalising goal for Chris Hargreaves in a 1–1 draw against Grimsby Town in the opening game of the season. A week later on 13 August 2006, Hackett scored his first goal of the season, as well as setting up a goal for Danny Morgan, in a 2–2 draw against Wycombe Wanderers. His second goal of the season then came on 13 September 2005, in a 1–1 draw against Bristol Rovers. Hackett appeared in every match from the start of the season until a calf injury at the end of September. He returned from injury on 7 October 2005 in a 1–0 win over Carlisle United. He was again suspended for three matches after being