A LATE Luke Simpson blunder consigned York City to a 2-1 defeat against Hartlepool on their return to organised reserve-team football after an absence of seven years.

Keeper Simpson let a speculative shot from home midfielder Brad Walker slip through his fingers after youth-team forward Flynn McNaughton had earlier cancelled out Tom Heardman’s first-half opener for Pool, who fielded six players with professional appearances to their name.

The Minstermen, meanwhile, included five players with first-team experience this season in Simpson, Josh Robinson, Kaine Felix, Callum Rzonca and Justin Johnson.

Left-back Ben Barber, meanwhile, made his first appearance in City colours after being sidelined by injury since his summer move from Stoke, with first-year professionals Tyler Walton and Nick Kennedy also featuring in the Central League clash.

The other starting XI places went to youth-team trio Josh Rogerson, Sam Fielding and Arron Brettel.

Former City loan striker Bradley Fewster, playing for the hosts on the right side of a front three after joining Pool on the same basis, provided an early reminder of his threat when he seized on a second-minute Walker cross but narrowly cleared Simpson’s crossbar from seven yards.

At the other end, skipper Robinson’s downward header struck the base of Ryan Catterick’s right-hand post following trickery by Johnson close to the byline.

Robinson also went on to volley over after Johnson’s corner was cleared to the edge of the box.

It was the home side that forged in front, though, on 26 minutes when Kieran Green met James Martin’s left-wing corner with his head and Heardman volleyed past a vulnerable Simpson from six yards.

City responded with a Johnson free kick that was deflected wide and edge-of-the-box Rzonca and Felix attempts that drifted over before the break.

The Minstermen were level, though, within 30 seconds of the restart when Johnson worked his way to the byline again before pulling the ball back from the left for McNaughton to tap in with his first touch after replacing Kennedy at half-time.

Fielding, who along with fellow teenager Walton impressed in the visitors’ midfield, then went close with a 30-yard drive, although Robinson was relieved to see Fewster shoot wide after giving away possession to the Middlesbrough striker.

On 67 minutes, Johnson flashed a chance across the face of goal, having exploded through the left channel after Fielding had won possession.

Johnson went on to hit the near post with a fierce effort from a similar position after exchanging passes with Brettel, while Walton’s powerful follow-up effort was headed away.

A Rzonca free kick was also safely gathered by Catterick, but it was Hartlepool who snatched victory against the run of play when Walker’s 20-yard angled, rising drive slipped out of Simpson’s grasp at his near post on 80 minutes.

Felix had to be replaced soon afterwards after taking a hefty kick to the shins, but it was not serious enough to prevent him from being in contention for Saturday’s National League clash at Torquay.

City: Simpson, Rogerson, Robinson, Brettel, Barber, Felix (Wilkinson, 85), Fielding, Walton, Johnson, Kennedy (McNaughton, 46), Rzonca.