Hartlepool 1-1 Bristol City

Porter's equaliser for Pools sets up the second leg

Joel Porter grabbed a vital equaliser for Hartlepool, after Bristol City had claimed an early lead in their Second Division play-off semi-final first leg.

City had gone ahead in the fourth minute when Lee Peacock's cross from the left was headed in by Tony Rougier.

Robins goalkeeper Steve Phillips was lucky not to concede a penalty after upending striker Eifion Williams.

And Pools deservedly levelled when a defensive mix-up between Phillips and Louis Carey allowed Porter to equalise.

The Robins had hoped to avoid a repeat of last season's play-offs, when they finished third but lost to sixth-placed Cardiff in the semi-finals.

Rougier, signed from Brentford on transfer deadline day, took the sting out of Hartlepool with his fourth-minute strike after the home side had looked brighter early on.

Peacock and Christian Roberts both went close to extending City's lead.

Pools keeper Jim Provett also failed to claim a Brian Tinnion cross before the interval, leaving Mark Tinkler to block Tony Butler's follow-up shot.

Five minutes after the break, City brought on Joe Burnell for Tommy Doherty in midfield - and he and team-mate Danny Coles were both soon booked for fouls.

But despite feeling they had unfairly been denied a spot-kick, Pools kept snapping at City's heels and Porter's goal kept them in contention.

Both sides pressed for a winner as Porter gave way to the much-travelled Paul Robinson, while Scott Murray came on for Rougier.

Adam Boyd came closest with a fierce shot which was superbly tipped over by Phillips.

But the sides will now meet again at Ashton Gate on Wednesday for the second leg.

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Hartlepool: Provett, Barron, Westwood, Nelson, Robertson, Eifion Williams, Tinkler, Sweeney, Humphreys, Porter, Boyd. Subs: Konstantopoulos, Clarke, Danns, Paul Robinson, Strachan.

Bristol City: Phillips, Carey, Butler, Coles, Hill, Rougier, Tinnion, Doherty, Woodman, Peacock, Roberts. Subs: Burnell, Murray, Stowell, Wilkshire, Lita.

Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).