WHENEVER Danny Wilson has witnessed a fit and firing Joel Porter, Hartlepool United's manager has been on the receiving end.

As Pools met Bristol City in the 2004 play-offs, Porter had already bagged 15 goals that season and popped up with another in the Victoria Park first leg.

Then when Pools thumped Wilson's MK Dons 5-0 in January 2005, Porter nabbed another.

But the Australian has since been out for as good as two full seasons with knee troubles and has been trying desperately to recapture those glory days.

Now Wilson might be about to enjoy the benefits of Porter for himself.

Since being installed as Pools boss in the summer of 2006, Porter has been unavailable more than he's been available.

Now fully fit and fresh after long and tedious times on the injured list, Porter is ready to be called upon.

With Pools struggling to get in behind Swindon's defence on Saturday, Wilson turned to Porter to provide a spark.

He not only did that, but provided a vital equalising goal in the process.

With Ian Moore and Richard Barker both of a similar, hard-working nature, Porter brings something else to the party - pace and an ability to get in behind defences.

Pools, in a first-half display a world away from their performance at Leeds seven days earlier, were lethargic in the opening half.

So off went Robbie Elliott and Moore, on came Porter and Ali Gibb. Into midfield went Jamie McCunnie and restored to his best position at left back was Ritchie Humphreys.

The switches paid dividends as Swindon finally had to think about their opponents.

It was an hour before the game saw anyone break out of first gear. It came when Porter tore beyond Chris Blackburn - more black beard than Blackburn - and cutting the ball back for Barker.

Soon Porter levelled, cutting inside from right to left and shooting low from the edge of the area for his second goal in as many home games.

His only start this season has been in the JPT win at Chesterfield and he's frustrated Wilson as much as he's impressed.

The case he presented on Saturday, however, hinted that a start can't be far away.

"The gaffer spoke to me during the week and told me to keep my head up because I would get my chance in the next few weeks,'' he admitted.

"It just so happened that it came on Saturday. He told me I was looking sharp coming off the bench and I just wanted to do that again on Saturday and it worked for me.

"I have been raring to go from week one. I felt really good in pre-season and I have had no problems with my knees - touch wood.

"I am not 100 per cent match fit yet because I have not had many games but I will keep working hard to put that right.

"It has been the best part of two years - back when I was playing with Boydy - since I felt this fresh.

"It has been frustrating but as a striker you have to understand that we have got four or five good players fighting for two positions.

"Sometimes you just have to be patient and wait your turn. The two lads who have been playing have done fantastic and we have had some great results so far.

"I have been asked to come on and maybe change a game and hopefully I did that.

"It has been a rough few years but hopefully I am past that now and I am just looking to have a good year for Hartlepool and getting us as high up the table as we can.''

He added: "The start of last season I played 10 or so games but I still wasn't fully fit.

"I still had that niggling knee injury which wouldn't go away and then I got the second knee injury.

"He has not seen the best of me yet but hopefully I can show him this year.''

"The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me after all of the injuries I have had and he has given me chances here and there.

"The only time he has really seen what I can do is when he was manager of Bristol City and MK Dons, not here at Hartlepool. It would be nice to show him as my manager.''

The last time both Adam Boyd and Porter were on the scoresheet on the same day was March 10, 2006. Both were coming back from injury and both netted in Pools 3-1 win over Huddersfield.

On Saturday, Porter's old striking buddy netted his fourth of the season. This Saturday, the pair go head to head as Pools go to Boyd's table-topping Orient.

"It will be good to see him again, no doubt there will be a bit of craic this week and a few text messages before the game,'' added Porter.

"It will be good to see him again, no doubt there will be a bit of craic this week and a few text messages before the game.

"They are top of the table so it will be a good game.''

Pools sit third and that they stayed there was thanks to keeper Jan Butdz.

He made a fine double save from Billy Paytner and Simon Cox after ten minutes.

But he was beaten when the ball was played in behind Nelson for Paynter, cut back and Jon-Paul McGovern took a touch and chipped over Budtz.

Pools had to make changes and Wilson didn't hesitate to do so.

But even after Porter's leveller, Pools lived a bit of a charmed life.

Sofianne Zaaboub broke and fed substitute Christian Roberts, who slid the ball across goal instead of aiming for it.

Then Zaaboub - pathetically and unbelievably wearing gloves on a day for shirt sleeves, heaven help him if Swindon are paired with Pools next season in January - cut inside Gibb and pushed his shot wide from eight yards and Budtz swatted away a goalbound Blackburn effort.