Hartlepool struggled to overturn their two-goal deficit after quickfire goals from South Shields proved the difference in their final pre-season friendly.

Paul Blackett broke the deadlock early on before latching onto a goalkeeping error to find a second shortly after to conclude the first half…

Pools looked to apply early pressure on Shields early on after a mix-up at the back for visitors lead to Alex Reid, with the ball inside the six-yard box, being denied a shot on goal by a sliding Robbie Tinkler.

A breakthrough came for South Shields within ten minutes after a long ball onto the left was chased down by Cain Sykes, whose low ball across the box was converted from close range by Paul Blackett.

A second came after a splitting ball from Dan Ward fell for Blackett, whose initial shot was saved before it was converted from the rebound.

Twenty minutes in, a determined away side forced a strong save from the Trialist goalkeeper after a strong Will Jenkins free-kick from 30 yards out was palmed away.

David Carson added to a dominant first half for the visitors after his curled effort on the edge of the box slammed against the crossbar.

After a quiet start to the second half, a chipped cross from Matty Daly from the byline broke the lull as the ball fell to Louis Stephenson, whose first-time shot was blocked inside the six-yard box.

Hartlepool once again looked to reduce their deficit from the following corner, Alex Reid looked to pounce on the inswinger with a volley that travelled just shy of the crossbar.

Heading into the final ten, Adam Campbell found himself able to cross from the right after a threaded ball by Nick Featherstone however, his cross to Besart Topallaj was sent wayward.

Pools: Trialist, Darcy, Kouogun, Parkes, Stephenson, Folarin, Hunter, Walker, Francis, Reid, Johnson

Subs: Smith, Benn, McNally, John, Topallaj, Sheron, Miley, Daly, Charman, Featherstone, Campbell