Joel Porter admits there is excitement in the Pools' squad as they prepare for tonight's game with Leeds United.

The squad go into the game high on confidence after Saturday's high-energy 3-3 draw with Oldham Athletic.

Pools needed just seven second-half minutes in the game with The Latics to overturn a 2-0 deficit and Porter reveals the whole period remains something of a blur,

"I don't remember much about it to be honest - I just remember coming out 2-0 down and then being 3-2 up and that's about it really.

"It was a bit surreal actually, the Gaffer told us that we were still in the game and to go out and try to get a goal inside the first ten minutes and we'd be able to push on from there.

"Then after seven minutes, we were leading 3-2.

"I don't think we actually realised we were leading because we kept pushing on and that could be one of the reasons they got a goal back."

And the Aussie striker was keen to point out the important role played by the crowd as Saturday afternoon saw the best atmosphere of the season at The Vic,

"From the crowd being virtually non-existent in the first half, and rightly so with us being 2-0 down, they got right behind us after the break.

"With us getting a goal back after a couple of minutes in the second half, the crowd totally lifted and that lifted us and then they erupted when the third went in.

"We had another chance when Browny missed one and we could've gone 4-2 up if things had gone our way."

Porter played a big part in the turnaround in Pools' performance, linking up well with Andy Monkhouse and James Brown,

"I think we started to play the ball quicker and forward a bit more instead of sideways and backwards.

"For Browny's chance, I played one in with my left foot which he chested down but kicked it over and then I turned in one with my right and he did the same thing but he got pulled down and we got the penalty."

And there was no doubt in the striker's mind that he would hit the net when he stepped up for the spot kick,

"I was confident otherwise I wouldn't have stepped up and took it.

"I just wanted to make sure I hit it on target and the way things had gone, there was a 99% chance of it going in.

"To be fair, the keeper made my decision for me because I saw him move to one side and I just placed it in the opposite direction."

Now with all attention turned to Elland Road and the prospect of Leeds United in the League Cup, Porter is insistent that Pools will go into the game in positive mood,

"I think we have to be very confident - we played in an excellent game against the top team in the league and got a draw and after that second half we possibly deserved to win as well.

"They are a fantastic team with some fantastic players and they'll have a good crowd behind them more than likely.

"But the crowd didn't affect us last time we played there - it gave us and our fans a lift.

"Hopefully we can take the same kind of numbers there again this time, they'll get right behind us and we'll put in a good performance.

"Anything can happen in the League Cup."

And Porter reveals there's a little bit of history for him ahead of the trip to Elland Road, with former Aussie Leeds men Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell inspiring him before his move to England,

"Before I came over, I used to watch the boys Viduka and Kewell playing for Leeds in the Premiership at Elland Road and think I would like to be there setting up goals for 'Vidukes' and scoring from Kewell's passes.

"It will be good to play there tonight - I didn't get chance to start last year so hopefully I'll do my best, play well and help us get the result we want."