DESPITE a spirited performance by Otley Town Reserves, Pool progressed to a Wharfedale and District FA cup round two tie with Horsforth St Margaret's A following a comfortable 6-1 victory away from home.
It was never going to be easy though, as Pool had to work hard and reproduce some of their recent good football to take the spoils.
A move down the right put Harry Higgins through to give Pool an early 1-0 lead.
When they extended their lead to 2-0 with a fine header from a corner by Billy Drake, it looked like plain sailing.
However, missed chances and some excellent saves from the inspired Town keeper prevented them from putting the game to bed. Indeed a mistake at the back almost let Town in.
Pool remained on top in the second half, as a header from Higgins found the net off the shoulder of Josh Waite, but the goal was given to Higgins.
Town pulled a goal back, but Pool soon cancelled it out when Harry Norris played the ball inside to Drake, who put a perfect ball into the penalty area. Higgins controlled it well before finishing confidently to complete his hat-trick.
A Ryan Firth cross then gave Drake a tap-in for his second before a similar ball found substitute Harvey Atkinson on the far post to fire home from short range to complete the scoring.
Pool Reserves crashed out of the cup after a 4-1 defeat to Bramhope. Jimmy Braithwaite scored a consolation goal for Pool.
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