Pools Youth Team lost out narrowly by a single goal to Hull City in their weekend Youth Alliance fixture at Chester-le-Street.

The high-flying Tigers were always going to give Pools a tricky game but Micky Barron was pleased with the way his players equipped themselves on a difficult, bobbly pitch.

The decisive goal arrived for Hull in the first half and, though Pools did create some good chances, they could not get themselves back on level terms.

Just after the hour mark, Chay Liddle's cross was put just over at the back post by Callum Wilson, while Liddle himself fired over the bar moments later.

Daniel Johnson struck a shot just wide on 85 minutes, while there was heartbreak two minutes later when Pools had a goal harshly disallowed for an alleged handball.

Steven Snaith headed over in injury time but Pools' quest for a late leveller drew a blank and Hull secured the three points.

"We knew that Hull were strong and it would be a tough game for us," Barron admitted afterwards.

"But I think we competed well, especially in the second half when we really took the game to Hull and made some great chances.

"We were unlucky at the end with the disallowed goal because a point would maybe have been a fairer reflection on the game."

Full Time: Pools 0 Hull City 1

Pools: Herbert, Purvis, Pearson, Richards, Rowbotham, Marron, Martin (Dodds 85), Liddle, Wakefield (Marshall 81), Wilson (Snaith 65), D Johnson.
Subs not used: Mooney, Thomas.