Pools Reserves lost out 1-0 in the opening game of their 2007/08 Pontins League season.

A second-half penalty from Stephen McPhee - just minutes after Stephen Turnbull had seen his spot kick saved - gave the visitors all 3 points at The Vic this afternoon.

It was Ian Butterworth's side though that had bossed proceedings leading up to the goal. In the first half in particular, Pools dominated and with both David Foley and Michael Mackay in lively mood, a goal looked a certainty.

But despite great chances for the pair - Mackay testing the keeper with a punt from close range and Foley firing wide with a shot inside the area - the breakthrough just didn't come.

Martin Young also tried his luck on goal with a thunder strike from distance but his effort rose just over the bar.

Pools also looked strong in defence - with Ben Clark and Lee Bullock bringing experience to the side and City were made to work hard in the opening forty-five minutes.

For all the dominance and chances though, Pools hard work did not pay off as the half ended goalless.

The second half began in similar fashion as Butterworth's men again looked in control and, when Tom Haigh was brought crashing down inside the area by??, the breakthrough looked set to come.

After a discussion between Mackay and Turnbull over who was going to take the kick, the midfielder came out successful but saw his powerful effort blocked wide by Tom Woodhead in the Hull goal.

And, just minutes later the visitors burst forward towards the Pools goal. With a looping ball heading into the area, Lee-Barrett went up to challenge with ?? at which point the match official gave his second penalty of the game.

McPhee confidently stepped up to take it and smashed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give The Tigers the lead.

From then on in, Pools looked a little out of sorts as they struggled to re-find their flowing football and it was the defence who were forced to work harder for the second period.

Bullock cleared the ball from danger after a clinical ball into the area from Bridges while Lee-Barrett did well to block a strike from close range from the big striker as the visitors looked to extend their lead.

With neither side finding the back of the net for the remainder of the second half, the game finished 1-0 as Butterworth's side lost out at The Vic this afternoon.

Pools 0 Hull City 1

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Horner, Clark, Bullock, Gott, Haigh (Ruddy), Turnbull, Young, Foley, Mackay, Shekoni

Subs Not Used: Allison, Tait, Trevena, Race

Hull City: Woodhead, Doyle, Belt, Collins, Coles, Livermore, Featherstone, Bennett, Atkinson, McPhee, Bridges

Subs: Wilkinson, Plummer, Law, Devitt, Kendall