Pools Academy came away from Yorkshire empty-handed after a physical encounter with Huddersfield Town on Wednesday afternoon.

It was Alex Cross’ first game in the Pools dugout, with his side falling to a narrow 3-2 defeat despite a late push.

“It’s a disappointing result,” assessed Cross.

“In the first 30 minutes we were lethargic and it took us too long to adapt to their style of play, gifting the opposition a 2-0 lead.

”We tweaked the shape which the players took onboard excellently. Soon after, Kian Foreman linked up with Ashton Wood who finished well to make it 2-1 just before half-time.

“I thought the players came out in the second half linking up better, bringing the ball to the final third and creating opportunities but couldn’t find the leveller.”

Huddersfield scored against the run of play to make it 3-1 but Charlie Ashcroft scored for the Pools to create a tense finish.

“It was disappointing to concede when we were in the ascendency but the players showed tremendous character to score again.

“After that we did everything but put the ball in the net. Their keeper made an outrageous save to keep Julius Hounsell’s effort out and the ball just wouldn’t drop to give us the chance to claw something out the game.

“All in all, there were some good performers within the group with a lot of lessons learned.

“On another day, the team come away with a different outcome but it wasn’t to be.”

The Academy side are set to return to league action against Bolton Wanderers at Blackhall on Saturday 21 December.