Turning his man, Brittain crossed from the right for Ameobi, who failed to control the ball and saw it half-cleared.

However it fell to Daryl Smylie, whose return ball allowed Chopra to turn in the box and fire home his first reserve goal since March 2004.              

After a scare at the opposite end a moment later when Caig's unorthodox stop from Campbell saw him end up lying on top of him, Newcastle went looking to double their lead.

Chopra was almost in for a second on 26 minutes, only for Shawcross to intervene with a clearance from Ameobi's right wing centre.

And Shola himself was denied on 35 minutes, as his goalbound header was blocked on the line by German midfielder Markus Neumayr.

In light drizzle at the end of the first half, Kris Gate almost grabbed his second goal of the season, nodding Brittain's cross narrowly wide after a patient buildup.

The visitors emerged for the second half in determined mood and a timely clearance from Ramage on 52 minutes denied Neumayr an equaliser.

Within a minute though the game was put beyond the reds, as Ameobi broke across the halfway line leaving two defenders in his wake, before finding Chopra with his back to goal in the box.

Shepherded by Shawcross, Chopra turned the defender but was fouled in the process and got up to beat Luke Steele from the spot for his - and our - second goal of the night.

That was the signal for a renewed effort from what was a virtual academy Manchester United side to renew their goal-getting efforts and Tony Caig was by far the busier of the two keepers in the remainder of the game.

While this was a pleasing result and our first home success against the reds in the last four attempts, the result has to be taken in context of our side, six of whom have played at senior level.

However we've often been in this position, having faced the likes of James Beattie and Michael Ricketts already this season when we've been the less experienced of the two sides on the field.

Next up for the reserves is another trip to the North West, where we break new ground with a debut visit to Robins Park - home of new boys Wigan Athletic.

Biffa 

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