He joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in October 2011 before taking a free transfer to Doncaster Rovers in August 2012.

[3] He signed professional forms in 2000, and manager Brian Horton gave Paynter his debut against Walsall at Vale Park on 3 May 2001.

Still a teenager during the 2003–04 season, he hit 14 goals in 48 games despite being played mostly on the right wing, leaving him second in the club's scoring charts behind the prolific Stephen McPhee.

[4] He opened the 2004–05 season by being sent off for over celebrating after scoring Vale's first goal in a 3–2 defeat at Walsall on 7 August; he went on to criticize referee Lee Probert for ruining the game with the red card decision.

[5] He went on to end the campaign as the club's top-scorer with thirteen goals in fifty games; this came despite criticism from some supporters for a mini-goal drought in mid-season.

[8] He started the 2005–06 season with just two goals in sixteen League One games, but had still done enough in his Port Vale career to justify a move into Championship football.

The club reported Tony Pulis' Plymouth Argyle to The Football Association for an alleged illegal approach for the player,[9] but accepted a bid from Hull City.

[17] Paynter made his debut for Bradford City against Nottingham Forest on 3 February 2007, scoring a last-minute equaliser to earn the Bantams a 2–2 draw.

[24] Following Paul Sturrock's departure, caretaker managers David Byrne and Maurice Malpas dropped him over concerns that he had lost confidence following a run of one goal scored in nine games.

[23] Cox was sold to West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2009, and Paynter was given a more prominent role in attack due to his departure.

He overcame a slight injury doubt and managed to play from the start in Swindon's 1–0 defeat to Millwall, with Paynter being replaced late in the second half.

[27] During the 2009–10 season, Paynter also managed to form a formidable strike partnership with fellow striker Charlie Austin, as the pair scored a total of 49 goals between them.

[32] In late July however, it was reported that Paynter would be ruled out for two months after suffering a stress fracture of the shin that he had picked up during Leeds' pre-season schedule.

[38] Paynter had a disappointing first season with Leeds, scoring just once in 23 games, and was linked with a move to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United during the following the summer.

[43] Having not played since the season's opening day for Leeds in October 2011, reports circulated that several Championship clubs were interested in taking Paynter on loan.

[54] Following a trial spell, Paynter completed a free transfer to League One side Doncaster Rovers on 13 August 2012, signing a two-year contract.

[57] He spent most of his time on the bench as Nigel Clough chose to use Jose Baxter as a false number nine in a highly successful run that took the club up the table and into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

[65] He made his debut in the 2–0 win over Morecambe in the first game of the 2015–16 season, scoring the opening goal and providing an assist for Rakish Bingham.

[71] Paynter was one of three men – along with Stuart Parnaby and Ian Gallagher – tasked with assisting caretaker manager Matthew Bates for the final two games of the season, which ended in a defeat and a victory, but ultimately relegation.

[76] Paynter played for a Football League England U21 team (selected and managed by Peter Taylor) in a game against an Under-21 Italy squad containing players from Serie B side's, a match which took place at the KC Stadium in February 2006.

[79] Interim manager Danny Pugh had to start self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 on 18 January 2021, leaving Paynter, Frank Sinclair and Anthony Griffith to take over first-team duties in his absence.

[82] He joined the coaching staff at Northern Premier League Division One West side Runcorn Linnets the following month from his Port Vale departure.

[86] Chairman Peter Cartledge said that "the achievement of finishing second in in[sic] Northern Premier League West Division should not be underestimated or go without high praise".

[89] Paynter was born in the Norris Green area of Liverpool, moving to Litherland during his early childhood, and is a keen fan of boxing.