The FA Cup holds special memories for Pools' striker Joel Porter.

The 29-year-old scored his first goal for the Club in the competition back in December 2003, a game he remembers well,

"Two weeks after I first signed, I played in my first game FA Cup game against Burton Albion and I was fortunate enough to score - Mark Tinkler laid it on a plate for me to tap it in.

"We ended up getting Sunderland in the Third Round which was a fantastic draw for us and it was a good time for the Club. Hopefully if I get my chance to start on Saturday I'll get another goal."

Pools face the long journey to the South Coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday but Porter insists the travelling will not dampen the side's enthusiasm for the game,

"I think it's the first time, especially in the First Round, that we have had to travel, for me anyway. We normally get a home tie or a fairly local non-league Club but we have to deal with it - it is part of being up North!

"We'll be up for it and we're hoping to get as far as we can and hopefully get a big team later on."

And the prospect of getting a big tie in a future round will be one of the motivating factors for Pools at the Withdean Stadium,

"The FA Cup is one of those cups you want to stay in because of its history, it is known worldwide and the longer you can stay in it, the better it is.

"It is good to have a break from the league and with the next round coming up at the end of the month and then the Third Round in January, it would be good to break up the season for us if we stay in the Cup."

Porter is rated a 15/2 shot for the opening goal - click here for all the latest odds.