Despite a spirited performance, Hartlepool United suffered defeat against York City in a five-goal thriller at the LNER Community Stadium in the Enterprise National League.
After Alex Newby scored for York 19 minutes in, Nicky Featherstone’s side equalised through Reiss McNally in the 39th minute.
City put themselves back in front with Hiram Boateng’s 84th-minute header, before Pools debutant Charlie Caton levelled the game on 97 minutes.
In the 13th minute of added time, Josh Stones’ converted penalty clinched the three points for the Minstermen.
Jay Benn, Alex Reid, Jamie Miley, and Matty Daly returned to the starting lineup, with new signing Caton joining the squad on the bench. Both Cameron John and Tyrese Sinclair were unable to feature against their parent club.
York struck first when a set-piece whipped in by Jeff King was cleared only to Newby outside the box, whose half-volley rifled into the top-left corner.
After Ollie Pearce’s free-kick attempt was denied by Nick Hayes minutes later, Pools threatened with several chances of their own. Adam Campbell’s low strike troubled Harrison Male, while Daly’s expert touch and shot from Luke Charman’s cross earned the visitors a corner.
From the set-piece, Miley’s inviting delivery was met by McNally, rising highest to nod home and level the game for Pools.
The visitors continued to probe after the breakthrough as Campbell tested Male from inside the box once more, before Charman saw his powerful header parried away.
In the early stages of the second period, the momentum shifted as Featherstone’s side soaked up pressure – Stones’ close-range header flashed wide, and Jack Hunter bravely cleared King’s strike on the goal-line.
Pools countered midway through the half, with Reid’s acrobatic strike almost finding the bottom-right corner, though Jay Benn produced a last-ditch clearance shortly after to keep the game level.
With the match headed towards injury time, Boateng found York’s second, guiding his header into the left corner from Ollie Banks’ chipped cross.
But the visitors responded once more deep into injury time – after Miley’s delivery caused a scramble in the box, Caton opened his account for Pools in dream fashion, reacting quickest to instinctively fire home into the top-right corner.
However, the away side’s delight was short-lived as York were awarded a penalty on 100 minutes; Max Kouogun was penalised for bringing down Zak Johnson. Stones placed his spot-kick into the right corner, stealing all three points at the death.
Pools: Hayes, Benn (Folarin 88′), Kouogun, McNally, Campbell (Brown 88′), Charman (Holohan 79′), Sheron, Hunter (Johnson 88′), Miley, Reid (Caton 72′), Daly
Unused subs: Smith, Ferguson
Goal: Caton (90+7′)
