Pools Youth Team's season got off to an amazing start as they overcame rivals Mansfield Town in a nine-goal thriller on Saturday.

Micky Barron's men were good value for their 5-4 win in an open game played out in windy conditions at Chester-le-Street.

They fell behind on twenty minutes when Town were awarded a penalty and, despite keeper Grant Herbert parrying the initial effort, the visitors tucked away the rebound.

Callum Hassan struck the post for Pools before they too were given a penalty and Chay Liddle made no mistake from twelve yards to tie things up.

Pools went ahead for the first time on the stroke of half time when Jordan Richards' free-kick was well flicked home by Jack Sharples.

Town levelled just after the break but then Tom Marron fired home from another Richards free-kick to make it 3-2 to Pools.

A host of chances came and went, and Pools were made to pay when Mansfield scored another equaliser.

Liddle was denied a second goal when the Stags keeper made a good save and then the visitors went in front once again on the counter-attack.

However, Pools weren't to de outdone and Anthony Wakefield tied things up at 4-4 after an incisive pass from Liddle.

And Barron's youngsters grabbed a dramatic winner with just two minutes left when Town failed to clear a corner and Richards whipped another ball in for Marron to score.

"Obviously we can defend better than that but I was absolutely delighted with the spirit the boys showed," Barron commented afterwards.

"They created a lot of chances which is encouraging and if we can tighten things up at the back we can certainly enjoy a good season.

"This group have got a good attitude and they simply didn't know when they were beaten," he added.

Full Time: Pools 5 Mansfield Town 4

Pools: Herbert, Purvis, Sullivan, Sharples, P Johnson, Marron, Richards, Liddle, Wakefield, Hassan (D Johnson), Blackford.
Subs not used: Mellish, Pearson, Thomas.