Pools Reserves were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at Victoria Park tonight despite taking the lead in the first half.

The first period was one of limited chances and the first real effort of note came midway through the half when Sammy Ameobi's shot at the near post was brilliantly turned away by Jan Budtz.

Jamie McCunnie lifted a lovely ball over the top for Michael Mackay but Magpies keeper Tim Krul rushed out quickly to deflect the ball away.

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Minutes later Mackay came even closer but this time his low drive was excellently blocked by Krul as it looked as though the sides were heading in to the break all-square.

However, with just minutes of the half left Alan Power slid the ball in to the path of David Foley on the left side of the box and when he delivered across goal Martin Young slid in to power home at the far post.

Early after the restart Power came close to doubling the lead when his left wing corner deceived Krul but hit the inside of the far post and came out to safety.

As the game progressed the visitors took more and more control and after Budtz had made two fine saves from Jonathan Godsmark and substitute Conor Newton, Newcastle found a way through.

The lively Godsmark's ball back in to the box was neatly tucked in to the corner by Ameobi to tie the game up at 1-1.

And it was soon 2-1 to the Magpies as they pressed home their advantage, Ranger slipped the ball back inside for Ameobi to double his tally with thirteen minutes left.

Pools struggled to find a way back in to the game, Alan Power's drive was held by Krul while at the other end Godsmark was once again denied by Budtz.

"We shot ourselves in the foot tonight really," said Reserves boss Ian Butterworth afterwards.

"They had a very strong twenty-minute spell in the second half but we lost our concentration and gave possession away too easily.

"But they are young lads out there and there were some encouraging performances - I thought Billy Blackford did excellently at left-back given that he is just 16-years-old."

Jonny Rowell took a knock and was forced off inside half an hour but the midfielder is only expected to be out of action for three or four days.

Full Time: Pools 1 Newcastle United 2

Pools: Budtz, McCunnie, Blackford (Purvis 83), Tait, Sharples, Power, Young, Rowell (Ellison 29), Tymon, Mackay, Foley.
Subs not used: Mason, Marron, Cook.

Newcastle United: Krul, Morris, Lough, Marwood (Henderson 63), Tozer, Kadar, Godsmark, Doninger (Newton 63), Ranger, Ameobi, McCrudden (Inman 46).
Subs not used: Tavernier, Airey.