Darren Sarll’s outfit fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest B in their final friendly ahead of the National League’s opening day next weekend.

Pools named a rotated side at Victoria Park with Tom Parkes and Mani Dieseruvwe left as unused substitutes on the bench.

Forest meanwhile, managed by former Hull and Wigan boss Warren Joyce, brought several players with Football League and international experience.

The hosts created the better of the chances in the first half as Luke Charman and Luke Waterfall struck narrowly off target.

Adam Campbell also found the back of the net with a free-kick from a wide angle, though that was ruled out for a foul in the box.

Immediately into the second half, Forest found the opener through Alex Mighten. The winger, with 50 Championship appearances to his name, slammed a rebound home at close-range after Dale Taylor’s strike clattered the post.

Forest made it two with 56 on the clock when Taylor, a Northern Ireland international, again created a rebound which Fin Back tapped home past Joel Dixon.

After 70 minutes, Mighten got his second of the game and Forest’s third with a curling effort from distance following Taylor’s cut back.

Pools did pull one back, with Joe Grey latching onto Louis Stephenson’s cross and hitting the back of the net, but proceedings finished at Victoria Park with Sarll’s side losing 3-1.

And with pre-season done and dusted, Pools now have seven days until the National League season commences with a trip to Yeovil Town on August 10th.