Adam Sadler's reserve side played the second game of their pre-season programme on Monday night, making the short trip across the Tyne to the International Stadium.

And although they again struggled both in attack and midfield, a marginally improved defensive display helped them to improve on last week's 2-6 loss at Benfield.

Gateshead included a trio of Magpie old boys in their starting XI in the shape of Craig Baxter, Kris Gate and Alex Francis. A fourth - Mark Bertram - came off the bench.

Francis in particular showed up well in centre midfield and almost netted against his former club on the half hour when his shot eluded Fraser Forster - but clipped a post.

By then though the Tynesiders were ahead, striker Graeme Armstrong having beaten Forster with a left foot effort from the edge of the box after just eight minutes.

Ian Bogie's side were good value for their lead at the break, the non-leaguers looking more confident, fluent and inventive on the back of three pre-season victories.

Clad in purple, the Magpies had been restricted to occasional wayward efforts from distance that failed to trouble veteran 'keeper Paul Musselwhite - who filled in between the posts for the Newcastle Masters recently.

While United kept the same line-up after the interval, Gateshead made a series of changes and lost some of their momentum as a result.

A rare excursion into the opposition box paid dividends for Newcastle with 15 minutes remaining, defender Darren Lough getting forward to volley Mark Doninger's centre home from close range.

Gateshead pushed forward in search of a late winner and fashioned a couple of half-chances, but Forster and United held firm to record a draw that slightly flattered them, given their lack of bite up front and in midfield.

Biffa

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