Pools Reserve Team fought out a 2-2 draw with Barnsley in their Pontins League Cup tie at The Vic.

Two goals from Antony Sweeney were cancelled out by the visitors, as Ian Butterworth's men drew their second group-stage Cup match.

The game started brightly as an attack-minded Pools outfit looked to get off the mark and early chances from Stephen Turnbull and Michael Mackay tested Barnsley's 15-year-old keeper Daniel Free.

And Free pulled off a great save to deny Michael Rae after the young striker combined well with Mackay to fire a powerful effort at goal.

At the other end, Arran Lee-Barrett made a couple of good saves, denying both Luke Fedorenko and Rohan Ricketts.

Pools took the lead just before the 25-minute mark when Matty Robson lifted a left-sided corner into the area where Antony Sweeney rose well to power an impressive header past Free and into the back of the net.

The visitors drew level minutes later when Jacob Butterfield made a good run through midfield before firing a shot at goal. Lee-Barrett blocked the initial shot only for Butterfield to react quickest and fire home the rebound.

Butterworth's side had chances to re-take the lead before the break, with Joe Tait trying his luck from a corner kick and Mackay battling the keeper inside the area.

David Foley had a late chance to make it 2-1 when Turnbull played him through with a great ball but his shot across the face of goal went just wide of the far post as the half ended 1-1.

The second half was a lively one as both sides looked to stamp their authority on the game without creating any real chances.

But it was Pools who made it 2-1 mid-way through the second period when a right wing cross from Ali Gibb once again found Sweeney rising in the box and the midfielder executed a glancing header which evaded the keeper and flew into the back of the net.

With the minutes ticking down, it looked set to be Pools' day - that was until the 83^rd minute when a good cross in from Jamil Adam from the right side of the area found Fedorenko just inside the 6-yard area and he nodded an effort over Lee-Barrett to make it 2-2.

Pools 2 Barnsley 2

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Gibb, Robson, Barron, Tait, Turnbull, Sweeney, Young, Rae, Mackay, Foley

Subs: Proudlock, Maidens, Gott, Rowell, Haigh

Barnsley: Free, Van Homoet, Potter, Reid, Atkinson, Butterfield, Ricketts, Togwell, Coulson, Fedorenko, Meynell

Subs: McGrory, Adam, Smith, Mellor, Waterfall