United's second string encountered a spot of bother in their reserve derby at the stadium of plight on Monday evening - falling behind following a controversial penalty award before the home side doubled their lead late on.

Neither side looked likely to score in a poor opening half played in front of a sparse crowd, but the turning point came midway through the second period when United defender Remi Streete fouled Connor Oliver outside the area. However, the referee inexplicably awarded a spot kick that Jordan Laidler fired past Jak Alnwick.

Newcastle had threatened an opener in the 22nd minute, when Streete won a tackle in his own half and surged forward until Laidler tripped him at the expense of a booking. Adam Armstrong sent over the free-kick from the right but Paul Dummett headed wide at the far post.

Michael Richardson also went close with a 35th minute header that was straight at Jordan Pickford in the home goal, but with in-form Jonathyn Quinn selected in a wide right role, United lacked a cutting edge in the last third.

That debatable spot kick award gave the home side some impetus and they went close to adding to their tally with two strikes that went narrowly over Alnwick's crossbar.

The United 'keeper then kept his side in the game, diving to his right to keep out a shot from Martin Smith with six minutes of normal time remaining.

But his colleagues never looked likely to grab an equaliser and substitute Smith made it 2-0 in the third minute of added time to complete a miserable derby double defeat.

mackems (a) - Premier Reserve League record:
(all games at stadium of plight unless stated)