The Carlton Reserves fell short in a final-quarter thriller against North Melbourne on Saturday at IKON Park.

In perfect footy conditions, the Reserves, coming off strong back-to-back wins, led at three-quarter time, however were overcome late, 10.13 (73) to 11.8 (74).

In the middle, youngster Ben Camporeale continued his form with 25 disposals and five tackles, while Archie Stevens (23 disposals, four clearances) also found plenty of the footy.

Playing a crucial role down back once again was Billy Wilson, who gathered 24 disposals and eight marks.

In the forward half, Stirling Phipps-Parsons kicked three goals, while AFL-listed duo Ashton Moir and Flynn Young also finished with two a piece.

It was a hot start for the Blues, asserting dominance around the stoppage early through the in-form Darcy Hogg and Moir.

With the away side firing the first shot, it didn’t take long to trigger a response.

Harry Charleson, with a crucial intercept early through the middle, linked up Francis Evans (seven disposals), who then laced out Stirling Phipps-Parsons to kick his, and the Blues, first goal of the day.

Moments later, an elite run-down tackle from Moir gave him a chance to kick his first. He obliged, finishing a set-shot from directly in front to take an early lead.

Linking up well through the corridor early, a fantastic transition play was finished with Archie Stevens finding Flynn Young in the pocket, who converted to kick a timely goal with a classy set shot finish.

The siren sounded moments later, ending an evenly poised quarter with both teams ruing missed chances.

Following the first break, the theme continued with a contested start to the second.

Continuing their dominance in the middle, another Blues clearance saw a chaos ball deep inside forward 50. With quick thinking, small forward Phipps-Parsons toe poked it through on the line for his second.

With the smalls looking increasingly threatening, it was Flynn Young who received a handball over the top bursting out of the centre square. In a moment of brilliance, he pulled his kick late to find Phipps-Parsons who nailed his third.

Finding plenty of the footy early, Moir laced out Young deep in attacking 50. Tucked up tight against the boundary line, Young finished with an impressive set-shot for his second.

Growing in confidence, midfield duo Camporeale and Archie Stevens began to stamp their print on the game.

With a nice transition starting at half back, Patrick Dozzi found Moir, who kicked his second with a set-shot from the pocket.

With a tight half coming to a close, the Blues took a nine-point lead into the third.

After the main break, the beginning of the third was hostile. Finding themselves under the pump early, the defenders held strong to limit the away sides momentum.

At ground level, small defender duo Billy Wilson and Jordan Boyd got busy, underneath tall Lewis Young and Ethan Phillips.

With North landing the first two blows, Archie Stevens found key forward Harry Lemmey out the back. With composure, he snagged his first around the body to take back the lead.

Needing to turn up the heat, it was Dozzi (13 disposals) providing the run down the wing – who kicked it long down the line to Lemmey providing a contest. Promptly kicking it inside the attacking 50, Will White was awarded a free kick 25-metres out from goal unable to convert.

With time running out in the term, Cooper Vickery (nine disposals) lowered his eyes find to Dozzi just inside 50. Unselfishly, he opted to hit up White who was closer to home.

A chance to redeem himself with an almost identical kick - he finished in style to boost the Blues lead to 10-points going into three-quarter time.

With the game still in balance, it was a blistering start to the final- quarter from the Reserves. A play that kicked off with Boyd off half back ended with a riveting goal on the run from Archie Stevens.

Despite the ideal start, the Kangaroos refused to go away.

Against the flow of play, showing grit was big man Flynn Riley (16 disposals) firing out a handball to Nash King. With a composed kick, he found Moir in front of goal - however the Blues once again were unable to convert.

Moments later, Evans took a crucial intercept mark just inside the forward 50. But the away side maintained control of the ball. With missed opportunities proving costly at the final siren, North prevailed – taking the lead in the dying stages.

CARLTON RESERVES       3.3     7.8     9.10      10.13 (73)
NORTH MELBOURNE       3.4     6.5     9.6       11.8 (74)

GOALS
Carlton: Phipps-Parsons 3, Moir 2, Young 2, Lemmey, Stevens, White