 The tough tackling right back put Darlington's off field problems of administration to the side and went on to make 39 appearances scoring 3 goals and receiving 4 yellow cards in the 2008–09 season.Austin's superb form saw him voted in the League 2 Team of the Season.In June 2009, he joined Darlington's arch rivals Hartlepool United and won the Player and Players' Player of the Year Award at the end of his first season with Pools.