Pools Youth Team went down 2-0 on Saturday despite an encouraging performance against a strong Hull City side at Chester-le-Street.

Micky Barron's young team found themselves two goals down early on after their visitors came out of the traps quickly.

"We didn't really cope with their system in the early stages and they punished us," Barron told us.

"However, I was really pleased with how the lads responded and even though we didn't get the result there were plenty of positives to be taken out of the performance."

Lively striker Lee Mason had two decent chances to grab a goal back, while Jordan Mellish headed just wide after an excellent delivery from Billy Blackford.

Gary McRoberts could have reduced the arrears on the stroke of half time but he volleyed wide of the target after more good wing work from Blackford.

City enjoyed more possession after the break but it was Pools who continued to carve out the chances, McRoberts denied by a good save following a superb solo run.

Other half chances came and went and Hull held firm to make sure of the three points to maintain their challenge at the top of the Youth Alliance League.

"We had a very young side out on Saturday and given that I was very pleased with the performance and we have to carry that in to our remaining game," Barron added.

Full Time: Pools 0 Hull City 2

Pools: Herbert, Pearson (Purvis), Sharples, Ellison, Johnson, Mellish, McRoberts, Charlton (Richards), Mason, Wakefield (Johnson), Blackford.
Subs not used: Woods, Rowbotham.