The Reserves lost their penultimate home league fixture on Monday, in a wind-affected behind-closed-doors game at Darsley Park against the Red Devils second string.

Neither side created any early clearcut opportunities and it was the 19th minute before Newcastle midfielder Greg McDermott played in Shefki Kuqi, who shot wide.

Strike partner Phil Airey fired just over seven minutes later and then Tim Krul smothered a shot from Gabriel Obertan before Ravel Morrison's shot glanced the top of the bar five minutes before the break.

But both teams started the second half down to ten men after Morrison and James Perch tangled a minute before the restart. Perch shoved the Manchester United man after being kicked on the ankle and both players exited.

The Newcastle defender can count himself particularly unfortunate after reacting to provocation, but raising his hands leaves him guilty of violent conduct himself. That lands him with a three match ban from first team matches - as was the case when Xisco was dismissed against the mackem reserves earlier this season.  

Airey switched to right back with Dan Leadbitter moving over to the left back slot. Ten minutes later there was a further reshuffle when Kuqi made way for Paddy McLaughlin who went to left back, Airey returning up front and Leadbitter being reinstated at right back.

Newcastle went close on the hour when Michael Richardson shot past the 'keeper from a narrowing angle but Oliver Gill got back and headed the ball away. Five minutes later Paddy McLaughlin's corner found the head of Jeff Henderson but his on-target header was cleared by Joe Dudgeon as the home side enjoyed their best period - and the wind dropped by a few knots.

But it was the visitors who took the lead in the 68th minute when a ball over the top found Obertan who shrugged off the challenge of defender Remie Streete before nipping through to fire past Tim Krul - who by now had taken the captain's armband.

And only the timely intervention of substitute Patrick Nzuzi on 74 minutes prevented the visitors from doubling their advantage - Obertan turning provider as he found space down the right flank and centred for Ryan Tunnicliffe to shoot from close, Nzuzi getting in a crucial block. 

There was to be no halting the visitors though and french U21 international Obertan got his and the Red Devils' second with five minutes remaining with a virtual rerun of his opener, substitute Davide Petrucci claiming a second assist of the game for his defence-splitting forward pass. 

A minute later though, Michael Richardson connected with a low left wing cross from McLaughlin and shot home for his second reserve strike of the season - having netted in the corresponding away game. However there was to be no dramatic late comeback and Peter Beardsley's side failed to test Johnstone in the visitor's goal in the final few minutes of play. 

Biffa

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