Euan McBride found a last-minute winner for Pools' Academy side away to Notts County U18s on Saturday afternoon.
County got off to the perfect start. Seventy seconds were on the clock before Charlie Gill opened the scoring for the hosts, cutting inside from the right flank and bending an effort into the top corner.
On 18 minutes, Pools intercepted possession deep into the opposition half through Eddie Ormerod however Alfie Steel's shot was well blocked by a recovering defender.
There was another half-chance for Hartlepool on 28 minutes. Leo Robinson's deep free-kick eventually fell for Campbell Darcy, who stroked an effort wide from 30 yards out.
Moments later, Max Storey won possession and Ormerod burst forward from the halfway line before his high effort was saved by the fingertips of the County goalkeeper.
Joe Kitching then set his sights on the brink of half-time, firing low into the home shot-stopper following Steel's lay-off on the edge of the box.
While Notts County took an early lead in the first half, it was Pools' turn to shock their opponents at the start of the second. A late push on Ormerod saw Chris Lynn step up on the edge of the area, and the substitute curled the free-kick sweetly into the bottom corner.
There were strong shouts for a Pools penalty on the hour mark. Steel found Storey, who went down after being double-teamed in the County box but the referee waved away the appeals.
Three minutes later, Josh Mazfari's long ball forward was flicked on by McBride, however Storey missed the target with a powerful shot from a tight angle.
With 66 on the clock, County broke forward. It was their first chance since scoring the opener, but Mazfari was level to Jonny Gilbert's dangerous strike.
County were unlucky not to regain the lead on the 70 mark. Goalscorer Gill drove forward and clipped an effort off the foot of the post, before his rebound was low into Mazfari.
McBride's winner came on 94 minutes for Hartlepool. A clearance from the County keeper was picked up by Ormerod, and he played through McBride who coolly slammed home at the front post.
Ian McGuckin's side are next in action on Saturday, December 2 with a home fixture against Huddersfield Town U18s.
Pools: Mazfari, Duthie, Grundle, Robinson, Darcy, White, Kitching, Ormerod, McBride, Storey, Steel
Subs: Wilkinson, Lynn, Burnett, Aungiers, Ingram, Berry