Newcastle's second string were in action in the east end of the city on Monday night and ultimately triumphed by the odd goal in seven in a well-contested friendly.

The Magpies included a slim-line Olivier Bernard in his familiar left back slot, making his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt since an away game at Highbury in January 2005.

Not surprisingly though he looked a little ring rusty and short of match fitness, suggesting he'll not immediately be in contention for a first team berth.

From the off, Benfield threatened Mark Cook in the United goal and after surviving a goalmouth skirmish, the 'keeper was beaten by a long-range effort on 6 minutes, Richard Brodie's shot from out by the byline looping over him into the far side of the net.

United's reply was fairly instant though - James Troisi being fouled on the left side of the Benfield box and Matty Pattison swinging over the free kick for Peter Ramage to nod home.

After that early excitement things settled down, with United's chief threat coming from Alan O'Brien down the left wing - who 48 hours earlier had been playing in the slightly more palatial surroundings of Stuttgart with Ireland.

Our best chance though came from the opposite flank on 40 minutes, Pattison supplying the cross for Andy Carroll to send his low first-time volley narrowly past the post.

At the opposite end though Benfield almost snatched the lead in the final seconds, former United reserve striker Marc Walton seeing his goalbound header diverted on to the crossbar by Kris Gate on the line.

The second half brought more quick goals, with barely two minutes on the watch when Paul Buzzeo crossed for Mark Rasmussen to score with a well-taken header.

This time the Newcastle reply took six minutes, Pattison driving home after Carroll had won a loose ball in the air on the edge of the area.

From that point the full-timers began to exercise more control in the contest, with United's pace and movement causing the Northern League side some anxious moments at the back.

O'Brien's pace took him to the byline on 59 minutes, with Benfield 'keeper Andrew Grainger doing well to tip over Glenn Reay's fierce shot.

However he was powerless to prevent the visitors from going ahead four minutes later - O'Brien's centre being met at the near post by Kris Gate who headed home.

Newcastle went further ahead on 72 minutes when substitute Kazenga LuaLua combined with Pattison to set O'Brien galloping into space again - Glenn Reay arriving towards the far post to drive the ball home back past the helpless 'keeper.

4-2 ahead, more goals looked likely but Newcastle slackened off slightly and allowed a few misplaced passes to disrupt their forward momentum.

The home side had the final word with three minutes to go, when captain for the night Marc Walton popped up in the six yard box, heading Buzzeo's corner for a goal against his old side.

PS: Team matters tonight were handled by Lee Clark and Terry McDermott - adding credence to recent speculation that United have parted company with reserve boss Tommy Craig, who wasn't at the game.

Both Radio Newcastle and the Chronicle ran stories the following day confirming that Craig had left the club. However there's been no word as yet on the circumstances that have caused his apparent departure.    

Biffa

Reserves