Hartlepool United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Everton Under-21s in the National League Cup at Victoria Park.

Despite a spirited performance by the Young Pools, Rocco Lambert’s early strike was enough to seal the points for the Toffees.

Cam Darcy returned to Hartlepool United’s starting XI for the first time this season, while U21 Lead Coach Alex Cross handed senior debuts to Harry Conyard, Noah Gilbraith and Matthew Taylor.

Pools created the game’s first opportunity inside the opening five minutes, but Terry Bondo’s first-time effort was kept out by the outstretched leg of Fraser Barnsley.

The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when Lambert latched onto Barnsley’s long ball before calmly slotting his effort beyond Conyard.

Gilbraith came close to an equaliser shortly after, connecting with Jacob Penprase’s free-kick, but his looping effort drifted narrowly wide of Barnsley’s far post.

Pools skipper was involved again on the half-hour mark, this time his flicked header taking a deflection as it narrowly rolled wide for a corner.

There was little to separate the sides after the interval, with neither goalkeeper called into action during the opening 25 minutes of the second half.

Everton came closest to extending their advantage with 20 minutes remaining, when substitute Ceiran Loney saw his effort flash narrowly wide.

HUFC XI: Conyard, Darcy, Gilbraith, Penman, Gibson (Wood 46’), Penprase (Daines 75’), C. Smith, Eccleston (Aungiers 46’), Taylor, Popov (Thornton 5’), Bondo (Rukin 70’)

Substitutes: Hood, Flint.