Teenager Ryan Taylor scored a spectacular winner on his debut to earn Tranmere a place in the second round of the Worthington Cup at the expense of Hartlepool.

Eifion Williams missed an early sitter for the hosts and Tranmere punished them for that after 36 minutes.

Simon Haworth was on hand at the near post to bundle Taylor's left-wing corner over the line.

Hartlepool levelled after 78 minutes when Adam Boyd forced Gareth Roberts to slice a clearance and Williams scored unopposed from 10 yards.

But four minutes later, Taylor regained the lead for Rovers with a curling 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Hartlepool: Anthony Williams, Barron, Lee, Westwood, Robinson, Arnison, Clarke, Tinkler, Humphreys, Boyd, Eifion Williams. Subs: Provett, Watson, Henderson, Widdrington, Robson.

Tranmere: Achterberg, Allen, Gray, Sharps, Taylor, Jones, Mellon, Curtis, Roberts, Haworth, Barlow. Subs: Price, Parkinson, Welch, Hume, Harrison.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham)