City have got 2009 underway in the worst possible manner after slipping to a shock 2-0 defeat against Hartlepool United in the FA Cup 3rd round this afternoon.

Second half goals from Michael Nelson and a wonder-strike from David Foley ensured a passage into tomorrow's 4th round draw for the League One side, who in all fairness were on top for long periods of the game.

Tony Pulis made eight changes from the side which slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at West Ham last Sunday, with most notably Michael Tonge and Tom Soares, who scored his first senior goal against 'Pool' for Crystal Palace in 2004, lining up in midfield, while Andrew Davies came in for Andy Griffin to make his first competitive start since joining from Southampton in the summer.

Vincent Pericard was handed a lone role in attack as the City boss was deprived of Ricardo Fuller, Richard Cresswell and Mamady Sidibe through injury and suspension. Dave Kitson was named on the bench though after overcoming injury along with Liam Lawrence, who eventually came on as a substitute after a four month lay-off.

The hosts were without star man James Brown after he damaged his cruciate ligaments during their League One clash against Bristol Rovers last month, however leading goalscorer Joel Porter continued up front, with former Port Vale star Sam Collins captaining the side.

The two teams were greeted onto the pitch by a typical FA Cup carnival atmosphere, and when the game did get kicked off, the home supporters were almost silenced immediately as Ibrahima Sonko rose highest to flick Glenn Whelan's corner goalwards, only for Arran Lee-Barrett to brilliantly palm the ball onto the post before Collins swept it away from danger.

Chris Turner's side managed to weather an early storm and could have taken the lead themselves after five minutes. Gary Liddle's dangerous ball into the penalty area was flicked on at the near post, and had it not been for Davies' determination to get to the ball first, Porter would have had the simplest task of tapping into an empty net.

The hosts continued to gather some early momentum and again broke forward after a classic counter attack, however, Sonko did well to thwart Ben Clark who looked set to pull the trigger from 25-yards. Minutes later, the home side were dealt an early blow after defender Antony Sweeney landed awkwardly on his ankle, meaning Chris Turner was forced into an early change with Jamie McCunnie came on as his replacement.

Delap attempted a couple of trademark long throw-in's as he looked to manoeuvre a breakthrough, but the Hartlepool backline defended admirably to ensure they were not the latest team added to his ever growing list of victims.

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Turner was then forced into a second change of the afternoon as Michael Mackay was replaced by David Foley after pulling up with what appeared to be a thigh strain.

With a pretty timid first half looking increasingly likely to end all square, Simonsen had to be alert to deny former Oldham star Porter after he was picked out inside the 6-yard box by the lively Matty Robson, before Soares tried to pick out the bottom corner from 15-yards only to see the outstretched leg of Ritchie Humphreys divert the ball out for a corner.

Neither side made any changes during the half time interval, but a double substitution was afoot as Lawrence and Kitson both stripped down ready to be introduced. However, before they were able to be brought on disaster struck for the Potters as referee Mark Halsey awarded the hosts a dubious free-kick on the left touchline. From the in-swinging centre the backline fell asleep and in came Michael Nelson to rise and power the ball home from 6-yards to send the 4,500 home supports into delirium.

Things could have gone from bad to worse 60 seconds later as another ball into the penalty area almost found Porter, but Simonsen brilliantly and bravely prevented any further damage by saving down at the feet of the big striker.

The impressive Porter then glanced over after Collins exquisitely picked him out with a darting ball across the penalty area, before Kitson tried his best to find a way through a stubborn backline in the 60th minute. City did push forward in search of an avenue back into the game, but in truth it never looked likely.

To their credit the League One side continued to push forward in search of a second, and after a few close scares for the visitors, when the second did finally come, it came in style. Substitute Foley embarked on a darting run through the middle of the pitch and launched a thunderous effort from 30-yards which dipped over Simonsen and into the top left hand corner, to seal their place in the next round.

Pulis' side pushed forward late on and almost grabbed a consolation through Delap, but after beating two defenders he curled his effort wide of the post with just Lee-Barrett to beat. The hosts played out the final three minutes of added time before enjoying a famous FA Cup win, while the Potters will now look to getting back to business for the upcoming double header against Chelsea and Liverpool.