A late Lincoln Pawlak strike rescued a point for Pools Academy away to Stockport County in the EFL Youth Alliance on Saturday morning.

Pools found themselves two goals down, but a change of system allowed Ian McGuckin’s side to get back into the game.

Alfie Steel scored just before the break, his third goal from the last two games, before Pawlak found a dramatic equaliser in the 85th minute to bring a point back to the North East.

Youth team coach, Graeme Clark, praised the team’s resilience at the full time whistle.

“After a difficult start to the game, we quickly found ourselves 2-0 down,” stated Clark.

“To address the flow of the opposition, we changed our shape, and this had a positive effect as Alfie Steel scored an excellent goal with a direct free-kick just outside their box.

“Coming in at half-time, we made a tactical change, which had another great effect as the players grew in confidence.

“We equalised late in the game through another set play. A wide free-kick came into the Stockport box and Lincoln Pawlak’s shot found its way through a crowd of players and into the corner of the goal.

“Overall, it was a resilient team performance. At times we had some good fortune, but we stayed in the game and were rewarded for our hard work with a late equaliser.”

The Academy’s next game takes place on Tuesday 12th November at home to Harrogate Town.