PERHAPS Hartlepool United are finally getting to grips with the play-offs.

At the seventh time of asking, Pool gave a performance more akin to their consistent league form over the last five seasons than the tepid showings which have dogged previous ill-fated play-off campaigns.

The first-leg of the play-offs is all about making sure you have a chance of victory in the second-leg.

And, for the first time, they go into the second game with genuine hopes of progressing through the semi-final stage.

Going into returns against Darlington and Blackpool and Pool were clinging onto wild hope rather than real belief and the games were non events for those in blue and white.

It was a similar scenario after a 1-1 Victoria Park draw against Cheltenham in 2002, although Pool went onto give a performance at Whaddon Road better much improved on what they had previously managed in the end of season shoot-out.

Until Saturday, that is.

Victoria Park has never had an atmosphere like this one. There might have been a little over 7,000 crammed in but they made more noise and atmosphere than many of the libraries that pass for Premiership stadiums.

And in a week when plenty of Premiership prima donnas have come in for flak for their seemingly carefree attitude, at Victoria Park you won't find anyone daring to give anything less than their all.

Passion, commitment and effort are, as Neale Cooper preaches, prerequisites in this Pool side; slackers not allowed.

So Pool chase every ball, close down every man and never, ever ease off. This team cost £110,000. Bristol City's over £2m. You don't have to spend a fortune to get commitment.

But Pool can play a bit as well and Cooper's side showed those watching on Sky Sports how they like to play the game.

Newcastle's Laurent Robert is one of those capable of infuriating and delighting fans in the same passage of play. His merits have been the subject of much conjecture and pub talk of late. He wouldn't last two minutes in this Pool side.

Even his dead ball skills wouldn't be needed at Victoria Park, not with Hugh Robertson around.

Put, by TV pundit John Beresford, in the same bracket as dead ball experts Robert, Jonny Wilkinson and Roberto Carlos earlier this season, he had plenty of chances to impress on Saturday, but failed to deliver.

Bristol City's appetite for fouls gave Robertson 21 free-kicks and ten corners. It was 32 minutes in before he tested keeper Steve Phillips, his low effort, whipped in from the right was pushed around the post.

He put his next one straight at the keeper from the same position, but too many lacked his trademark pace and were instead lobbed into the danger area. Tony Rougier caused Robertson troubles defensively, but in front of Robertson, Ritchie Humphreys constantly threatened.

Last season's player of the year is back to his free-flowing best. He created from both the left and the middle of midfield and one confident run saw him charge through from deep and stretch a low shot wide.

Getting one over his former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Wilson would bring a touch of personal satisfaction for the winger.

Reaching Cardiff would mean everything to the town. Pool, ten away wins to their name, are 90 minutes from making it.

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