5 mins Liam Smith shot 1-0

40 mins Charman shot 2-0

45 mins Jarvis shot 2-1

Half time: Potters 1 Magpies 2

56 mins Jarvis shot 2-2

75 mins Berbir shot 2-3

81 mins Sangare shot 3-3

85 mins Gallacher shot 4-3

Full time: Potters 3 Magpies 4

Having lost out on promotion in the playoffs last season, Newcastle U23s made a winning start to their Premier League 2 programme on Friday night - but only after looking as if they'd blown the three points. 

A small crowd were present at the FA's St. George's Park training facility to see the Magpies snatch a fifth minute lead when Liam Smith slid home after swapping passes with Luke Charman after Craig Spooner's run.

Charman made it 2-0 in the 40th minute when Dan Barlaser's shot was saved by Jacob Haugaard, but the visiting striker was on hand to sweep the ball home.

Daniel Jarvis got one back for the Potters on half-time after Ryan Hill's pull-back from the byline and City were level by the 56th minute when Jarvis shot home via the crossbar from further out. 

Dominating the second period, Stoke looked to have completed their comeback in the 75th minute, trialist central defender Danny Barbir forcing the ball in at the back post after a corner kick was allowed to reach him.

The black and whites weren't finished though and having made little forward impact since going 2-0 up, they dragged themselves level with nine minutes left.

Barlaser's dribble inside the box caused mayhem in the City defence and after some pinball, recently -arrived substitute Mo Sangare lifted a first time shot into the roof of the net for 3-3 - his first goal at this level.

Peter Beardsley's side weren't finished though and conjured up what proved to be an 85th minute winner - fellow replacement Owen Gallacher outpacing the City defence and shooting home via a post to snatch the win.

There were competitive debuts for Josef Yarney (in an apparently unfamiliar right back role) and Mo Sangare, in addition to a rare 90 minutes from Liam Smith - beset with injury for several seasons.

Surely this should have been pitch 9?

Biffa