An unfortunate last-minute goal meant Pools Academy came away from Burton Albion empty-handed on Saturday morning.

A lively start saw Pools keeper Harry Conyard called into action several times before Burton took the lead from a loose pass.

Moments later, the hosts scored a second before adding a third from the penalty spot.

Pools showed fighting spirit at 3-0 down, and clawed one back before the break with a fantastic passing move ending in a Jacob Penprase finish.

The start of the second half saw Pools grab another, with Julius Hounsell on the scoresheet following great work from Ashton Wood and Penprase.

Pools then levelled things up as Alex Pavan followed in from Rio Daines’ strike, dramatically making it 3-3.

That wasn’t the last of the action though, as Pools harshly conceded in the final minute to lose the game 4-3.

Academy Manager, Alex Cross, praised his side’s endeavour at the full time whistle despite a narrow defeat on the road.

“The resilience and character to get back into the game after being 3-0 down was excellent,” he said.

“We looked a real threat going forward, despite some key players missing at the top end of the pitch.

“It’s another game where we come away frustrated that we haven’t got anything in terms of the result, but it’s a very pleasing performance nonetheless.”

The Academy side are back in action next Saturday with a trip to Salford City in the EFL Youth Alliance.