Pools Youth Team ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 home defeat to Chesterfield on Saturday despite leading by two goals at half time.

Micky Barron's men were quickly out of the blocks as they returned to action for the first time since before Christmas and looked on course for the points after goals from Jack Sharples and Marc Ellison put them in the driving seat.

However, a tremendous second half fightback from the hosts saw the game turned on its head and leave Barron to ponder a disappointing defeat.

"If ever there was a game of two halves then that was it," he told us.

"We were excellent in the first half and created numerous chances to score; all the things we worked on in training were coming off which was fantastic.

"But some sloppy defending in the second half and a crazy fifteen-minute spell let Chesterfield back in.

"Hopefully this acts as a lesson for the lads if they ever get in to that position again - we were pleased with the first half but we still need to do more work on our shape," he added.

Pools went in front when a training ground set-piece saw Sharples score and the lead was doubled thanks to skipper Ellison was on target.

The visitors were quickly back in it with a goal early in the second half, and scored two more very quickly as they made the most of Pools giving possession up too easily.

Things got even worse for Pools after the third goal as Andy Charlton was shown a red card for violent conduct and though there were chances an equaliser didn't arrive.

Full Time: Pools 2 Chesterfield 3

Pools: Loynes, Purvis, Sharples, Ellison, Johnson, Marron, Martin, Liddle (Charlton), Scaife (Wakefield), McRoberts, Quantrill (Pearson).
Subs not used: Reech, Mason.