The U21s recorded their most emphatic PL2 win of the season on Friday, defeating a City side rooted to the bottom of the table who contributed to their own demise with a first half dismissal.

Joe Brayson and Alfie Harrison both scored twice for the Magpies at Whitley Park, Stoke losing Jaden Dixon in the 40th minute after two bookings in quick succession. 

The hosts  went ahead when Brayson confidently volleyed home on five minutes, only for Stoke to level 11 minutes later when Andre Vidigal broke from halfway and fed Ruben Curley who fired home.

Yellow cards for Dixon on 36 and 40 minutes followed - both for illegally halting attacks near the centre circle. The 17 year-old England youth international defender has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks.

Level at the interval, Newcastle dominated proceedings and regained the lead in the 57th minute when Garang Kuol broke down the right and crossed for Harrison to shoot, the City 'keeper pushing the ball into his net.

Harrison then turned provider on 76 minutes, putting a pass towards the far post for Brayson to force the ball home from point-blank range - midfielder Rory Finneran capping an encouraging display on the eve of his 17th birthday with the initial through ball.

An emphatic finish from Harrison with ten minutes of normal time remaining then rounded off the scoring, Brayson unselfishly setting him up to seal United's first PL2 win in six attempts.

Biffa