Both sides fought on Tuesday night as Hartlepool defeated Scunthorpe United in a pre-season friendly, with goals from a trialist and Mani Dieseruvwe.

Chances were at a premium in the first half. Danny Whitehall did find the back of the net on 16 minutes, tapping home a rebound from Ross Barrows’ strike, but the Scunthorpe attacker was ruled offside.

The Iron eventually found the net on 28 minutes as Callum Roberts curled an unstoppable strike into the top left corner from range.

Jack Hunter came close to equalising for Pools on either side of half-time, though Maison Campbell held his first effort before he later glanced a header wide.

It was end-to-end on the hour mark as Dieseruvwe headed over for Pools, while Will Evans was denied at point-blank range by a trialist in the home goal.

A trialist was introduced up front for Pools on 61 minutes and equalised on 62. He slammed home at close-range after Dieseruvwe brought down Nicky Featherstone’s cross.

Unfortunately, the trialist was forced off injured seconds after his goal. That didn’t stop Pools’ rhythm, however, as Hunter struck a wonderful effort off the post while Dieseruvwe forced a save from a header.

Dieseruvwe got his goal, and Pools’ winner, on the 79 minute mark after poking home David Ferguson’s corner at the second attempt.

Pools now face one final pre-season friendly in the form of Nottingham Forest B on Saturday afternoon.