Lionel Ainsworth scored his first professional goal, in one of two appearances for Halifax.

The 21 year started his career at Derby County in 2006 and made two substitute appearances for the Rams before having three loan spells at, Bournemouth, Halifax and Wycombe in the space of nine months in 2006-2007. He made nine appearances for Bournemouth, two for Halifax and seven for Wycombe, grabbing his first goal whilst at the Shay- on his debut against York. These loan spells showed that his chances of a place in the Derby team were remote and he moved to League Two Hereford in the summer of 2007.

It was at Edgar Street where Ainsworth discovered his scoring prowess and he netted eight goals in 19 games, including a hat-trick in a 4-1 Carling Cup victory over Yeovil, in only his second match. He then scored another hat-trick in a 3-2 league win at Stockport. All this occurred in just three months and had helped the Bulls to second in the table. Not surprisingly his form was attracting interest from a higher level and on the 22nd November 2007, Championship side Watford took him on loan, and then signed him permanently in January 2008 for an undisclosed six figure fee. His time at Vicarage Road was unsuccessful and short-lived. He made just 20 appearances, with only eight of those starts and he was loaned back to Hereford in November 2008. He hit three goals in seven games back at Edgar Street between November and January, form which prompted League One Huddersfield to sign him that month.

At the time of writing, Ainsworth has made two starts and one substitute appearance for the Terriers.