EIGHT months ago Joel Porter had not even heard of Hartlepool. He was preparing to pack his bags for a return to his Australian homeland after attempts to earn a professional contract in English football were in vain.

But, after trials with Wigan and Sunderland proved fruitless, Porter was prepared to take one last chance at Hartlepool United before giving up and heading Down Under.

Now, having impressed manager Neale Cooper enough to earn a deal that keeps him at Victoria Park until next summer at least, the 25-year-old striker is dreaming of playing against Leeds United next season having scored the goal that has given Pool every chance of clinching promotion via the play-offs.

It was his cool strike 15 minutes from time, when he nipped round stranded keeper Steve Phillips before slotting the ball into an empty net, that has set the tie up nicely for the return leg at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night.

And Porter, relieved a move finally materialised, is loving every minute of his life in the North-East and it is not inconceivable that next season could see him take on the two sides that turned him down earlier in the campaign.

"At the time I had been here for about three months and I was getting very, very upset as things weren't going my way," said Porter.

"I was at Wigan and Sunderland but it didn't work out. Luckily enough someone knew Martin Scott, put in a good word for me and I gave it one last shot at Hartlepool and I got a contract.

"If it hadn't come off I'd be back in Australia playing football.

"I didn't even know Hartlepool existed before I came here. But what a club to come to. They are pushing for the First Division for the first time in the club's history and it's great.

"One year we are playing at Grimsby and then the next year we could be playing Leeds at Elland Road, it's scary stuff.

"When I first came I was told they had just been promoted and they were looking to stay up. It's brilliant."

Porter is no stranger to pressure. He has represented his country in the qualifiers for the Confederations Cup and he once played in front of 38,000 in the Grand Final of the Australian Soccer League.

But, having tasted the electric atmosphere the 7,000-plus crowd created at Victoria Park, the man from Oz insisted he had never tasted anything like Saturday night's party mood.

And Cooper, the man who took the gamble on him, believes Pool supporters are yet to see the best from the quick forward.

"Joel took his goal well and, when he gets a full pre-season under his belt in the summer, no one will be able to stop him, I am telling you that now," said the Scot.

"Joel came to us during the season and when you miss the pre-season programme, it is very hard to catch up.

"The players all work hard and Joel was shattered after he scored, that's why he came off."

Pool's bright start, as they responded to the massive roar reverberating around the ground, suffered a clinical blow just five minutes in.

Lee Peacock, the £600,000 man, was afforded too much time on the left wing after chesting down a long ball upfield.

After cutting inside, Peacock was able to pick out a fine back post cross and winger Tony Rougier rose above Hugh Robertson to head powerfully inside Jim Provett's near post.

For the remainder of the half City - with Rougier, Peacock and Christian Roberts providing the visitors' attacking verve - were able to deal with most things Pool had to offer.

But they were reliant on goalkeeper Phillips midway through the half when he expertly tipped an Antony Sweeney volley over the bar, while Robertson's dead ball kicks rarely troubled.

From the moment the first whistle blew after the restart Pool were clearly determined to pull level in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

And, after Ritchie Humphreys' bursting run and shot very nearly did just that, referee Paul Taylor denied Pool a penalty just before the hour mark when Eifion Williams was brought down in the box by Phillips.

"All the lads say it was a stone-colder," said Porter. "Things could have changed our way earlier because the keeper would probably have had to go as well."

Cooper could have opted to take Porter off for Paul Robinson at half-time after a fully-committed and tiring display. But he stayed on and delivered the crucial equaliser.

He is developing a habit of scoring on the big stage. His first goal for Pool came in front of the BBC cameras as Pool won at Burton Albion in the FA Cup, a victory that set up a tie at Sunderland in round three.

Adam Boyd, the man hailed on the television as the hottest property in English football right now, had a stinging volley from just inside the penalty area turned superbly away by Phillips.

That led to City full-back Matthew Hills calling for calm from his panicky teammates, but they held out for a draw ahead of Wednesday's decisive return leg.

But, with Pool's away record better than any other side in Division Two, there's no reason for Cooper's men to fear Bristol City when they arrive in Gloucestershire - even though the Robins just missed out on an automatic spot.

Don't count out a trip to Cardiff for Porter, Cooper and Co just yet.

Result: Hartlepool United 1 Bristol City 1.

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