Pools lost out to League Two outfit Morecambe after tonight's JP Trophy Quarter Final Northern Section was decided with a penalty shootout.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in normal time but it was Sammy McIlroy's side who came out on top in the spotkicks, beating Pools 4-2.

After enjoying the majority of possession in the opening exchanges, Wilson's men made it count with an opener inside the first fifteen minutes.

When Michael Mackay picked up possession inside the box, the youngster showed a calm head to hold the ball before turning and laying it into the path of Richard Barker, making it easy for his strike partner to slot home past Scott Davies.

The early lead was a deserved one for Pools who showed once again just how seriously they are taking the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with some impressive flowing football and a real determination on show.

Michael Mackay, given his second consecutive start by Danny Wilson, proved a threat for Pools in the first half, causing problems with his boundless enthusiasm and pace. After setting up the opener, the young striker could well have had a couple of goals himself.

After bursting into the area, Mackay took the ball right to the touchline and, after a battle with Davies for possession, curled a shot which the keeper just managed to tip over the bar.

Mackay threatened again when picking up the ball inside the box but his impressive turn and shot was once again blocked wide by Davies.

Another youngster impressing in the opening period was Matty Robson who was a big outlet for Pools down the left, creating some good openings with his pace and good footwork as the pressure mounted on the visitors.

And a great run down the left by Robson saw him thread a pacy ball across the face of goal which edged just inches away from the arriving Mackay.

Although chances for Morecambe were limited, Jan Budtz made his mark on proceedings when Michael Twiss, who proved the visitor's main threat this evening, blasted a powerful effort goalwards. Luckily for Pools, Budtz showed good timing to get down and block the ball wide with his legs.

And the big keeper did well to block again as the half came to a close; Jon Newby found himself running through on goal but Budtz again came out on top to block wide.

Pools took a deserved lead into the break but things changed soon after the re-start; Morecambe began the half brightly and, when a ball into the area struck the hand of Ritchie Humphreys, referee Mr Taylor pointed straight to the spot.

Jon Newby stepped up to take the kick, sending Budtz the wrong way and crashing the ball home into the bottom left corner to makes things all square.

With the visitors buoyed by their equaliser, Morecambe continued to push forward and a long-range effort from Michael Howard curled just wide of Budtz's right-hand post.

But Pools were not ready to lie down and soon pushed on - Michael Nelson trying his luck on goal with a drive from distance, which went just wide of target.

With the mid-way period of the half approaching, it was just the woodwork which kept the two sides level. A break down the right for Morecambe saw Jamie Burns try his luck with a shot from just inside the box but Jan Budtz just got a touch on the ball to tip it onto the post and out for a corner kick.

Pools were straight back up the other end of the pitch to try their luck at making it 2-1 but sub Joel Porter's powerful thump sailed high over the bar.

Neither side seemed too keen on settling the game with a penalty shootout and pushed forward wherever possible in what had become an end-to-end encounter - sub David Foley found himself in possession on numerous occasions and worked hard to carve out openings in the final third.

And the young forward found himself in a great position with around ten minutes of play remaining; a great interception by Antony Sweeney saw the ball played forward for Foley but, with Joel Porter just to his left, the youngster decided to aim for goal but saw his shot go just wide of the left hand post.

At the other end an opportunistic strike from Burns from 25 yards saw Jan Budtz pulled off a great save to tip it wide and just minutes later the Pools stopper threw himself bravely at the feet of Dave Artell to collect the ball from a dangerous position.

With the penalty shoot-out looking an increasing reality, Porter fired wide from distance for Pools and a Richard Barker header went high over the bar.

Despite late pressure from Danny Wilson's men, the breakthrough did not come and the game was decided by a penalty shootout:

Morecambe win 4-2 on penalties.

Att: 2776 (94 Morecambe)