A late goal gave Hartlepool hope for the second leg of their Second Division play-off semi-final after Bristol City appeared to have frustrated the home team.
But Hartlepool got into the play-offs by refusing to accept defeat, and it was no different in this game as they stormed back in a one-sided second half after City had taken an early lead.
The Robins got off to a flying start when they celebrated a goal at the end of their first attack.
A deep cross from the right by Christian Roberts found its way to the far post where home keeper Jim Provett was stranded, and Tony Rougier's downward header sneaked inside the post.
After that, Hartlepool had most of the possession, but chances were few and far between for both sides as they struggled to come to terms with the heat and a grassy pitch that was watered just before the kick-off.
City keeper Steve Phillips finger-tipped a 20-yard volley from Antony Sweeney over the bar on 25 minutes, and from the resultant corner home defender Mickey Nelson's header was just over the bar.
Phillips saved City again six minutes later when he got down well to his left to push a long-range shot from Hugh Robertson round his post.
Pool thought they'd earned a penalty on 58 minutes when top scorer Eifion Williams went down in the area as he was challenged by Phillips, but the keeper was relieved to see the referee wave home appeals aside as play went on.
But the pressure had to tell and on 73 minutes, Hartlepool were deservedly level when the impressive Adam Boyd pushed the ball forward to the edge of the area, and Joel Porter nipped between a defender and the stranded Phillips before stroking the ball into the empty net.
There was still time for Phillips to make an outstanding finger-tip save from a Boyd volley in the dying minutes, but with Tony Butler outstanding, City held out for their draw and will be favourites to make the final in the second leg at Ashton Gate.
Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper said: "We are not out of this game.
"We have only been well beaten two or three times all season, and we have a very good away record.
"That, and our performance in this game, gives us the right to believe the tie is far from over."
City manager Danny Wilson agreed, commenting: "It was a tough game for both sides, and we know we have a match on our hands in the second leg.
"But we played well enough to win it, and we'll be hoping to do it in the second leg."