Quakers reserves let a 2-0 lead slip at Crook this afternoon and went down 3-2.

Quakers looked good in the first half. Dale Milburn put them in the lead from the penalty spot after Harvey Saunders was fouled, then Saunders picked up a through ball and slotted in the second.

Saunders also hit the bar in the first half, but after 55 minutes Crook pulled a goal back.

Arran Wearmouth headed a corner against the bar, but Crook struck back with two headers from setpieces in the last 15 minutes.

Joint manager Mark Fanning said; “We were very good in the first half, and could have been more than 2-0 up at half time.

“We made a few changes at half time, but in the second half we just didn’t get going at all, and it was clear that some players need to learn quickly. We allowed them far too much space to score with two free headers.”

There were several players with first team experience in the game – Peter Jameson, Liam Marrs, Arran Wearmouth, Harvey Saunders and Dale Milburn.

The upcoming games for the reserves are:

Friendlies:

Tuesday 25th July Seaham Red Star (a)

Saturday 29th July Guisborough Town (a)

League season:

Saturday 5th August Prudhoe (a)

Wednesday 9th August Stokesley (a)

Saturday 12th August Hebburn Town (a) Alan Hood Cup

Wednesday 16th August Sunderland West End (a)

Saturday 19th August Harton and Westoe (h)

Wednesday 23rd August Wolviston (a)