Vic woman spat on in violent street attack

A 28-year-old Melbourne woman has been punched from behind, thrown into a pole and spat on during an unprovoked and random street attack.

The woman was waiting to cross the street near Carlton Gardens on Thursday when a man began shouting at her.

He first punched the woman in the shoulder before pushing her forward into a pole, a police spokeswoman said.

When she turned around, the man spat on her face before fleeing into the gardens.

Two witnesses stopped to help the injured woman.

Police are searching for a man described as being around 40 years old with a pointy nose, thin build, short hair, stubble and missing a couple of teeth.