Pools Reserves went two goals ahead at Grimsby Town but could not hold out for victory in an entertaining Pontins Cup game at Blundell Park.

The young Pools line-up, led by Paul Stephenson and Micky Barron, started the game brilliantly and went in front with just three minutes on the clock.

Tom Haigh sent a great ball over the top for Michael Rae to chase and he used his strength to brush off the Town defender before firing in to the corner of the net.

It got better for Pools on the half hour mark when Michael Mackay got in behind the hosts' defence, rounded the keeper and slotted home a second goal in to the empty net.

Mackay could have had another moments later but saw his shot well blocked and Haigh's follow-up went over the bar.

With a half time lead of two goals, Pools looked in a strong position to clinch the game but fatigue crept in to their play and Grimsby's new system started to cause problems.

Town got back in to it on 70 minutes when a well-taken free-kick crept past Arran Lee-Barrett and in to the net.

And then they managed a scrappy equaliser with just nine minutes left when a stabbed ball across the box was forced home from close range at the far post.

"We played very well in early stages but just seemed to run out of steam," Stephenson commented afterwards.

"The lads seemed a little tired but I am sure they will have benefited from getting another game under their belts.

"Micky Barron played his first game of the season and Michael Rae also came through it following his ankle problems so they are real positives."

Full Time: Grimsby Town 2 Pools 2

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Gott, Horner, Turnbull, Barron, Forbes, Ruddy (Rowell 81), Young, Rae, Mackay, Haigh.

Subs not used: Allison, Tait, Trevena, Scott.