WHEN Dimi Konstantopolous arrived in England just over 12 months ago there was a sense of 'in the right place at the right time'.

An agent's phone call to manager Neale Cooper and the towering Greek goalkeeper had a trial lined up at Hartlepool United.

With Anthony Williams disgruntled with life after losing his place to Jim Provett, it did not take Konstantopolous long to earn himself an 18-month contract and he became Provett's understudy with Williams departing for pastures new.

But it has not been until this season that Konstantopolous has really begun to have an influence and the boss is the first to admit that his foreign goalkeeper has taken time to impress.

The 25-year-old made only his second league start for Hartlepool on Saturday and he kept a clean sheet that ensured Eifion Williams' goal at the other end was enough to stretch his side's unbeaten start on home soil to ten games.

Konstantopolous - given his long-awaited opportunity after a super display in the reserves goalless draw with Bradford last Wednesday - admits he struggled to adapt to the English game after spells in his home country, and in Portugal with Farense.

However, after a steady display against Port Vale, he claims he is ready to become Cooper's first choice goalkeeper.

"Goalkeepers have to have patience and wait for a chance. I have done that ever since I came to this club," said Konstantopolous. "When goalkeepers get their chance they have to prove to the manager they can play and stay in that position.

"The manager told us the team on Friday and said I would be in the starting line-up. It was very pleasing. Competition is hard because Jim is a great goalkeeper. I knew I had to do my best and try not to make mistakes, I had to show the manager he was right to play me.

"This game is totally different to what it is in Europe. Last year was an adjusting year, I had to get used to the English philosophy and the English style of play.

"But things are going well for me now. I like the town, the people and the club. Now I have my place I don't want to lose it."

With new signing Ben Clark, who arrived on a free transfer from Sunderland, making his home debut at the heart of the defence and Konstantopolous in goal, how Hartlepool defended against Port Vale was always going to be under scrutiny.

But the pair, along with Chris Westwood, Michael Barron and Matty Robson, stood firm and kept an adventurous Valiants side at bay.

Cooper believes the confidence of Konstantopolous around the penalty area, with his strong handling, helped Clark and Co keep their minds focused on a slippery surface - claiming that vindicated his decision to name Provett on the bench.

"I just thought it was time for Jim to have a break. His confidence is down at the moment even if he may not feel that," said the Pool boss.

"Dimi gave us great presence and when he comes out it is a relief to the back four. He's a better keeper than he was last season and that's thanks to Mark Prudhoe (goalkeeping coach).

"Jim has different strengths and is a good shot stopper. But Dimi has the confidence now as well and it's good to have the competition we have, we have two good keepers. Dimi has waited and waited and did well."

Saturday's victory has pushed Hartlepool back up to tenth place in League One and four points behind the play-off pack.

And, after tomorrow's LDV Trophy trip to Carlisle United, with another home game against Doncaster this weekend Cooper's men could be back amongst the promotion hopefuls this time next week.

But if they are to have serious eyes on finishing in the top six again this season then they will have to play better than they did against Vale.

Too often passes went astray and the visitors deserved to return to the Potteries with at least a point - if not all three for only the second time this season.

But Martin Foyle's side, who had 11 corners and 19 efforts at goal, struggled to find the vital breakthrough, although Konstantopolous did make a number of comfortable saves when Port Vale did find the target - most notably through James O'Connor, Chris Birchall and a number of headers from skipper Sam Collins.

In the end Williams' first league goal since August 30 - the 2-1 win over Colchester when Konstantopolous made his only other League One start - after 24 minutes sealed the points.

Teenager striker Jack Wilkinson, in for injured top-scorer Adam Boyd, played the ball neatly to the Welshman who let the ball run before blasting it under Port Vale keeper Jonathon Brain.

There were other chances that fell to Antony Sweeney and Mark Tinkler but it was unlucky Vale who did most of the pressing.

And now Konstantopolous wants Hartlepool to sort their away form out - having lost their last six on their travels - to strengthen their claims for a play-off place.

"A draw would have been a fair result. We kept a clean sheet and the boys at the back were excellent," he said. "It's a great result for us.

"We will get back up there, I'm convinced of that."

Result: Hartlepool United 1 Port Vale 0.

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