The men from Victoria Park were denied the victory that would have confirmed them as champions of the Pontins League Division One East on a blustery afternoon at Whitley Park on Thursday.

In front of a seasonal best home crowd of around 300 (the majority from 'Pools), the second-placed Magpies made a lightning quick start with two goals in the first six minutes to race into a lead they never looked like losing thereafter.

Midfielder Bradley Orr was first to strike from 18 yards with his fourth goal of the season in this league after just two minutes, then four minutes later Michael Bridges opened his Newcastle account as he got on the end of a long clearance upfield to slot past the visiting 'keeper. 

After Ameobi had made way for Chopra after picking up a slight groin strain, Andy Ferrell then made it 3-0 in the 37th minute before ex-Mag Paul Robinson got one back for the visitors three minutes later with a smart turn and volley.

The second half saw no further addition to the scoring, with Robbie Elliott missing the best chance to extend our lead on the hour when he shot wide of an empty net.

Paul Robinson was one of two former toon players on show for ex-mackem Martin Scott's reserves, with one-time academy winger Steven Istead in the visiting lineup.

PS - Stuart Drummond was there, but not in his H'Angus costume...