A first-ever reserve goal from Matthew Grieve proved to be the difference between the two sides in another behind closed doors league match at Darsley Park on Tuesday.

Back and ankle injuries restricted Grieve's second string involvement to just 7 starts in the last three seasons, but now that the imposing centre half has returned to fitness, he's played six times already in the campaign.

Kept out the starting lineup today by the requirement to give pitch time to Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell, Grieve replaced the latter on the hour mark and barely ten minutes later had stooped to head the ball home from close range.

The home side dominated the opening period without creating too many clear-cut chances, midfielder Michael Richardson combining well with the returning Leon Best, but unable to get his shot away after advancing into the City area.

With Xisco back in the fray but making little headway. Steven Taylor spurned United's best chance, misplaced his header from a Sam Ameobi corner. However the major incident of the first half was probably the referee going off injured (or bored) to be replaced by the linesman...

After the break it was a different story, with Magpies' keeper Ole Soderberg called into action on three occasions in opening ten minutes - denying John Guidetti twice and parrying an Andrew Tutte effort.

Of the two returning forwards, Best looked far more in the mood to impress the watching Chris Hughton with Xisco leaving the field some moments after taking a knock.

By then Newcastle were ahead, stand-in left back Stevie Folan winning a corner that Sam Ameobi dropped on the head of Best towards the far post, Grieve reacting first to beat visiting 'keeper David Gonzalez.

City looked for an equaliser, but efforts from Tom Smith and Guidetti were both wide of the target and United achieved only their second home win of the season without any mishap.

Biffa

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