Hartlepool United Academy fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Wrexham on the weekend, ending a three-game unbeaten streak.

Pools struggled in the opening stages and Wrexham, who sit second in the table, went ahead from a header in the third minute.

Moments later, the Welsh side found their second as Pools didn’t clear their lines from a cross.

There was a mountain to climb at the break, with Pools two goals down, but the hosts came out and battled well.

Kian Foreman came close before a goal was found through Alex Pavan, who won and converted a penalty.

Pools piled on the pressure as the clock ticked away, with Foreman most notably guiding a free-kick narrowly wide.

However, a late Wrexham counter-attack led to a penalty which restored their two-goal advantage and saw the game out.

Alex Cross and Graeme Clark’s side are next in action on Tuesday 8 April, as they welcome Rotherham United to the Prestige Group Stadium.