Pools’ Academy side suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Harrogate Town on Saturday in the EFL Youth Alliance, with Alfie Steel’s goal proving too late to spark a comeback.
Hartlepool lined up at Maiden Castle with an unchanged 11 from Tuesday's 6-0 victory over Notts County. Under-16s Ashton Wood, Noah Gilbraith and Ash Green were named amongst the substitutes.
Harrogate found the net after five minutes when Emmanuel Ilesanmi pulled the ball back for Finn O'Boyle to slot home, however the former was ruled offside.
There was another glorious chance on the half-hour for Town when Ollie Nicholson's corner was headed over by a free Harry Hindle at the back post.
And, after a tight first half, Harrogate took the lead immediately in the second. Twenty-six seconds were played before Mason Wilson took advantage of a defensive mistake and blasted into the Pools net for the opener.
Josh Brodella came close to finding Harrogate's second in the 53rd minute, curling a strike narrowly past the far post. And seconds later, Ilsenami forced a brilliant save from home goalkeeper Jake Wilkinson.
Ilsenami proved a tricky customer and his pressure allowed O'Boyle to go through and slot home in the 64th minute, handing Harrogate a two-goal lead.
Pools fought their way back into the game and restored hope when Steel found the net on 78 minutes. Joe Kitching forced a low save from Ollie Duthie's cross, but Steel was there to fire the rebound home at close-range.
However, Harrogate resorted their two-goal cushion as Elijah Samuels came off the bench and found the bottom corner with a strike from distance.
Ian McGuckin's side now turn their attention to Tuesday's home fixture against Grimsby Town, with a midday kick-off at Blackhall.
Pools: Wilkinson, Duthie, Lynn, Berry, Darcy, Grundle, Burnett, Kitching, Steel, Ormerod, Storey
Subs: Aungiers, Wood, Gilbraith, Green
