Hartlepool United’s pre-season homecoming ends in style as a last-minute winner capped a 3-2 victory against a young Rangers side at the Prestige Group Stadium

Christopher Eadie opened proceedings before Callum Burnside made it two.

Danny Johnson then brought back a one-goal deficit before half-time.

Adam Campbell brought things level before Reid sent Hartlepool in front right at the end.

Hartlepool’s backline held strong in a slow opening quarter until a long ball, on the right, fell for Smith, whose ball across goal to Eadie was comfortably dispatched from close range.

Within the opening first hour, the visitors found a second via Burnside, who struck low past the keeper from outside the box.

Johnson was able to claw one back in the 38th minute after his run through the middle culminated in him unleashing a low drive past Mason Munn that went in off the left-sided post.

Jermaine Francis had the first chance of the second half, after cutting in from the left, the winger opened up to shoot, but his shot sailed over the bar.

On the hour, Lewis Stewart for Rangers had a curled effort inside the box blocked, after a clever turn past Jay Benn, Reiss McNally put himself in front of the shot to deny.

An equaliser proceeded soon after, Johnson claimed a loose ball inside the opposition’s box before finding a free Campbell, who provided a tidy finish past the goalkeeper’s left.

Reid failed to convert from close within the last quarter after a low-driven ball from Sam Folarin sent in from the byline came at an awkward angle for the forward, who failed to place his shot on target.

In last-gasp fashion, Hartlepool managed to find their winner, Reid headed home within the six-yard box after a pinpoint cross from Louis Stephenson.

Pools: Tralist GK, Benn, McNally, Kouogun, John, Francis, Sheron, Miley, Campbell, Johnson, Charman

Subs: Stephenson, Darcy, Parkes, Topallaj, Folarin, Walker, Hunter, Trialist, Reid, Trialist

Goals: Johnson (38’), Campbell (63’), Reid (90’)