Newcastle Reserves became the third team to inflict a home defeat on Benfield this pre-season - but the Northern League side can count themselves unfortunate to have lost.

A rare sunny evening on Tyneside brought a smallish (250) crowd to Sam Smith's Park in Walkergate to the east of the city.

Academy coaching duo Joe Joyce and Kenny Wharton were in charge of the visitors, while reserve bosses Lee Clark and Terry McDermott were in evidence on the sidelines.

Benfield fashioned the first chance of the game on 13 minutes, with Magpies 'keeper Fraser Forster forced to tip over Anthony Shandran's effort.

United then put together a move involving Kazenga LuaLua and James Marwood, who combined for Frank Wiafe Danquah to cut in from the left flank.

However his snap shot from the edge of the box clipped the base of the post and span away harmlessly.

Goalscoring opportunities appeared at both ends, with Fraser Forster called into action again to deny Brian Dodsworth before Mark Doninger headed over at the other end.

The opener had a touch of fortune about it as LuaLua advanced into the box on 29 minutes, only for his shot take a strong deflection off defender Phil Lumsden and loop into the net past a helpless Andrew Grainger in goal.

A rather cleaner strike from James Marwood then doubled our advantage three minutes later, at which point United looked comfortable.

Benfield had other ideas though and were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes after referee Michael Oliver decided that the lively Paul Buzzeo had been clipped by Doninger just inside the United area.

Dodsworth sent Forster the wrong way from spot and after the 'keeper had shown good reactions to block another shot from the same Benfield player with his feet, Benfield levelled with five minutes of the first half remaining.

Another scruffy goal saw United unable to get the ball out of their box and after a scramble and several blocked efforts, Shandran looked to get the vital touch to make it 2-2.  

The home side threatened to take the lead for the first time within two minutes of the restart, after Dodsworth jinked into the box and beat Forster with a rising shot, only for Callum Morris to head off the line.

Doninger then struck the woodwork again just after the hour mark with a low drive, before Forster denied Mark Atkinson.

However the winning goal went to the visitors nine minutes from the end, with former West Ham defender Lumsden unwittingly involved again, as Mark Bertram's innocuous-looking shot deflected off him and into the net.

Biffa

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