ANTONY Sweeney admits he is playing out a football story beyond his dreams.

The Hartlepool United midfielder has become a mainstay in Neale Cooper's play-off team.

And, with it all to play for tonight as Pool go to Bristol City in the second-leg of the end of season shake-up, Sweeney won't be overawed.

Two months ago, he was facing an uncertain future. A regular in the reserve side, but out of contract this summer, there was little prospect of a first-team spot.

But he was given a start at Brighton on April 3 and has never looked back.

Sweeney confessed: "I've played the last nine games and before that if someone said that I would be playing in such big games on Sky Sports with so much at stake, I would have laughed at them.

"But football works like that sometimes. The gaffer put me in and hopefully, I have repaid him.

"I've been given a chance and if you look at the bench, there are three quality midfielders there ready to come on at any time.

"It keeps you on your toes knowing that.''

Tonight is the biggest game of Sweeney's fledging career, but both he and Pool go into the game in good heart.

He added: "Saturday was a really good performance, especially after losing an early goal which could have knocked us back.

"But, as we have proved time and time again this season, we have a never-say-die attitude and it doesn't matter who we play, we prove it.

"Bristol City, to be honest, shouldn't really be in this division, but they are and now they have to beat us to get out of it.

"We have a good away record and we are looking forward to it. It's a one-off game for the season.

"We had the better of the game on Saturday and let's hope we can give the fans what they want.

"If we can take the lead down there, then it really makes it interesting.

"We will gladly take the 1-1 result from Saturday because we know how well we can play away from home.

"It was nice to play well in front of the cameras and show people what we can do. It was my first time on Sky, but as soon as you get on the pitch, you forget about the cameras.

"It's a big stage to play on and I don't think you can get much bigger on Wednesday.''