The Seasiders ended the year with a 4-1 home defeat against an experienced Preston out fit.

Having dominated the opening quarter hour Steve Thompson's men failed to make take their chances, Gareth Farrelly went close following great work from Matty Kay whilst a number of set plays were wasted by the inexperienced Pool side.

The deadlock was broken when Callum Davidson opened the scoring following a neat move down the Pool right, the experienced defender exchanged passes before smashing a great finish beyond Lewis Edge.

Edge then produced a series of fine saves to deny Preston but was beaten for s second time when Andy Smith rounded off an neat move.

Pool pulled one back on the stroke of half time with an exquisite finish from the impressive Matty Kay.

Pool began the second half brightly but their efforts were in vain when Rory Prendergast was shown a straight red card following an off the ball incident, following the game the referee and his assessor agreed the out of favour winger had thrown a punch in an off the ball scuffle, the former Accrington man now faces a three match ban.

Down to ten men, Pool tried in vain to compete against a North End side containing several experienced players. Inevitably the visitors added to their tally with former Sunderland striker Danny Dichio netting twice before the full time whistle.

Following the game, Steve Thompson said, "The sending off killed us, we had done well and worked hard. Just before the sending off we were on top, but when we went down to ten men it was always going to be struggle."

Pool: Edge, Metcalf, Tiereny, Lawlor, Goulding, Kay, Bean, Farrelly, Prendergast, Hoogerwerf (Caddick 45), Odgden (Doran 70)