Newcastle's trialist was 19 year-old midfielder Alfie Hughes, currently at Leeds United and formerly with Manchester United and Boro. Stockton-born Hughes will be out of contract at Leeds this summer. He's the 36th different player to appear for us in PL2 this season.

This was the fourth U23 meeting of these sides this season - United completing a clean sweep and a quartet of clean sheets.

4-0 winners at Nuneaton in PL2 last August, Newcastle repeated that score on Tyneside in the PL Cup two months later. Returning to Nuneaton for the second PL Cup tie in January, United then recorded a 2-0 victory 
 

The U23s maintained their hopes of a PL2 Division Two promotion playoff spot on Monday, Dylan Stephenson finally seeing off a stubborn City side.

United's top scorer broke the deadlock at Whitley Park on 89 minutes with a darting run into the opposition area and a typical low finish to claim three vital points.

The first chance of the night had fallen to Stephenson on 17 minutes, City 'keeper Oli Basey blocking his run but the ball rebounding back to Dylan. However his shot lacked power and Rico Browne cleared.

A similar scenario saw Basey illegally stop Stephenson's 34th minute run; Dylan's shot dropping wide, Basey booked but the free kick coming to nothing.

A game of few clear cut chances continued after the break; Adam Wilson having a fierce shot blocked in the 75th minute.

Three minutes later City almost snatched the lead when Jobe Bellingham (16 year-old brother of Borussia Dortmund's Jude) set up Jordan James who wastefully blasted over from the edge of the box.

A minute from time though Stephenson broke the deadlock with his eleventh PL2 goal of the campaign - City then reduced to ten men after James saw red for swearing at the referee.

United survived five minutes of added time, with substitute Isaac Westendorf almost adding a second goal on his return from suspension.

With seven games to go, Elliott Dickman's side sit third in the table; trailing Norwich City in second spot by three points but with two games in hand.

Leaders Fulham have already clinched the title and with it the one promotion spot, but just six points separate the next eight sides, with four making the playoffs.

Biffa