Newcastle U21s lost their first competitive fixture of the season on Tuesday night, beaten at Tamworth in the opening tie of the National League Cup competition.

Robbie Stockdale's side conceded three Lambs goals in 17 first half minutes, reviving to draw level with 20 minutes of the tie remaining, only to then leak further two goals.

Despite retaining just one of their starting line-up from the weekend's defeat to Flyde, Tamworth struck first when Tom McGlinchey fired into the roof of the net after 15 minutes.

The hosts took just four minutes to double their lead, Tom Parkes pinging a perfect pass from the centre spot to Jake Hutchinson, who slipped the ball home from six yards.

McGlinchey then came close to his second of the night, shooting across the face of goal from the right of the box.

A third Tamworth goal then arrived just after the half hour, a flowing attack down the left flank ending with Hutchinson flicking home a first-time effort in front of the near post.

Hutchinson then came close to completing his hat-trick, seeing his 42nd minute shot flash just past the post with goalkeeper George Mair motionless.

The blue-clad Magpies did gain an unexpected foothold in the game in the final seconds of the opening half, Trevan Sanusi intercepting a pass from Oliver Dyson outside the Tamworth box before powering in an unstoppable shot.

That gave the visitors fresh impetus and they reduced the deficit further just three minutes after the restart, Sanusi this time the provider.

His charge down the United left ended with a low ball across the area that newly-arrived substitute Vakhtang Salia slid in to convert from close range.

It was 3-3 in the 71st minute; Georgian-born Salia's low cross shot from the right hand of the box ending up in the net after home 'keeper Reece Lovett failed to keep it out.

Parity was only fleeting however; a left wing corner from Tamworth's Teo Kurtaran reached the six yard box and was headed goalwards by Daniel Creaney. That entered the net via Nathan Tshikuna - visiting goalkeeper Mair booked for protesting to the referee either that he'd been impeded or there had been a handball - we're unsure.

United's attempts to draw level again were then hampered as the home side forced a series of corner kicks before Tamworth added a crucial fifth in the last minute, when youngster Vanyelson Silva's shot was deflected home.

Home goalkeeper Lovett then atoned for his earlier rick with by denying striker Afner Ca a debut goal in second half added time. By then, United's front four comprised of players from Ireland, Guinea-Bissau, Georgia and South Korea.

Newcastle U21s now play ties in this competition at Boreham Wood, Solihull Moors and Hartlepool United over the coming months. Everton U21s, Leeds United U21s and Boro U21s are also in their group but U21 sides don't face each other.

Thanks to GW