Hartlepool United Academy showed courage with 10 men on Tuesday afternoon, however Ian McGuckin's side couldn't hold onto a point against Grimsby Town.
The reverse fixture with Grimsby finished in a 7-0 defeat, so Pools were wanting revenge in the EFL Youth Alliance. They made two changes from the weekend, with Louis Stephenson and Leo Robinson entering the starting 11.
Grimsby were ahead after just two minutes. Henry Brown forced a low save from Jake Wilkinson at point-blank range, however the visitors were fortunate to see the rebound fall into the path of Charlie Clements to blast home.
Pools keeper Wilkinson remained strong though, and pulled off several great saves in the first half to deny Brown, Grayson Giles and Cameron Gardner.
Unfortunately for Pools, their afternoon became tougher as Campbell Darcy was shown a red card on the half-hour following a hard challenge.
The Mariners continued to press in the second half and Clements came close after smashing an effort off the post, before Giles hooked the rebound off target.
McGuckin's side managed to break forward and find an equaliser on the hour mark. Leo Robinson pulled away down the right flank before putting a cross into the danger zone, which Steel headed home at the back post.
Ten minutes later, though, Town regained the advantage as Gardner latched onto a low cross and finished neatly at the front post.
And Grimsby got their third late on. Hartlepool couldn't clear their lines at the back, giving Clements the opportunity to hit home in front of goal.
Next up for Pools' Academy side is a trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, March 23 (11am kick-off).
Pools: Wilkinson, White, Lynn, Berry, Darcy, Grundle, Stephenson (Aungiers 80), Kitching, Steel (McBride 77), Robinson (Duthie 84), Storey
Subs (not used): Burnett, Ormerod
