18 mins Armstrong shot 1-0

39 mins Armstrong shot 2-0

Half time: Newcastle 2 Blackburn 0

50 mins Carson shot 2-1

57 mins Roberts shot 3-1

65 mins Mansell shot 3-2

69 mins Kemen shot  0-2

Full time: Newcastle 4 Blackburn 2

Newcastle reserves ended their home fixture programme on a high note at SJP on Tuesday, with a first win in nine league and cup attempts on Tyneside. And in addition to the welcome victory, there were a handful of positives from the team performance ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League game at Gallowgate.

Adam Armstrong once again served notice of his talent with two more goals to take his seasonal tally at reserve level to eleven from just thirteen starts. The 18 year-old striker also capped an industrious display by adding two assists and trying his luck with five other decent goal attempts - more than this venue has seen from a home player for some considerable time....    

Rolando Aarons also made his first appearance following a six month injury absence and completed 45 minutes, hitting the bar with a curling effort in the 15th minute. United took the lead three minutes later when Armstrong took a short pass from Alex Gilliead on the right hand edge of the box, swivelled and shot in one fluid movement and netted via the far post at the Leazes end.

That lead was doubled five minutes before the break when Facundo Ferreyra played through Armstrong who coolly stroked the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Crump. And it was almost 3-0 on 44 minutes when "Chucky" arrived at the far post, only to stab his first time effort wide of the post when it seemed easier to score.

After a brief rain shower during the half time interval, the visitors halved the arrears within five minutes as David Carson's snap shot was helped in by Freddie Woodman. South Shields-born Carson looked delighted to net  against the club he represented as a schoolboy, but Callum Roberts soon restored the two goal advantage.

Armstrong turned provider on 57 minutes and laid the ball through for substitute Roberts, who sprinted into the area before cracking a beauty across the 'keeper for his first at this level since the away game against Blackburn.

Rovers soon replied again when substitute Lewis Mansell forced in a left wing cross from point-blank range on 65 minutes after Woodman had saved his initial attempt. The second half goal glut then continued four minutes later, when midfielder Olivier Kemen smashed home a spectacular effort from 20 yards via the goal frame.

Biffa