We were ahead in the 17th minute, as Brittain's deep cross from the right was knocked back across the penalty area by O'Brien for Ambrose to instinctively knock the ball home past stranded 'keeper Carlo Nash.

And within 90 seconds it could have been 2-0 when Ameobi played in Milner, only for the reserve team debutant to drag his shot narrowly wide.

More good work from Ameobi and Ambrose on 25 minutes presented Milner with another shooting opportunity, but this time Nash was equal to his effort.

Further Newcastle goals always looked likely, but it wasn't until the 40th minute that the Ambrose/Milner/Ameobi trio swung into meaningful action again, the former Ipswich midfielder finding the ex-Leeds lad on the right byline, Ameobi knocking home from close range to double our advantage.

'Keeper Steve Harper was then called into action at the other end, making a good fingertip stop to divert David Wheater's close range effort onto the crossbar, with the Boro defender then blasting the rebound over.

And there was just time before the interval for the goal of the night, as Ameobi strode forward to stroke home a majestic curling strike from 25 yards that rattled in off the bar. 

As is often the case, the second period failed to live up to the goal action of the opening 45, neither side adding to the scoreline - although the visitors did come close in the latter stages through Job and Graham, while Ambrose had our best chance.

However, while the result boosted the reserve squad, spare a thought for strikers Lewis Guy and Guy Bates, who weren't called on from the bench tonight but have borne the striking burden for much of the season and are still both to get off the mark.

With Ambrose and Milner playing for the full 90, either or both lads would surely have been grateful for the chance to get a crack at Boro in the closing stages to try and break their duck, with the aid of some better service than they've been used to.

Biffa 

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