United's reserve side won their third successive game on Monday night and completed a seasonal double over the smoggies in the process - but almost let two points slip.

Midfielder Mark Doninger put United ahead on 43 minutes with a low shot and when the same player converted from the penalty spot three minutes after the break, a home win at Whitley Park looked assured.

However, the visitors rallied and struck in the 75th and 80th minutes through England youth international striker Jonathan Franks, who beat Tim Krul in the United goal with a shot and then a header, as our defence fell asleep.

At that point United looked to have paid the price for some second half slackness after going 2-0 up, but just when the draw looked inevitable, up popped Doninger to nod home a Kazenga LuaLua corner in added time.

With Colin Calderwood absent (spotted with Chris Hughton at the Hull v Spurs game), coach Alan Thompson took charge of the side and handed highly-rated youngster Aaron Spear his debut at this level in the latter stages of the game.

And as well as Spear, there was a debut for Paul Dummett at left back and Danny Williams, who came off the bench to make his reserve bow. Michael McCrudden meanwhile was handed his first league start.
 
Doninger's treble was the first league hat trick of the season for United's reserves and the first since January 2008 when Andy Carroll notched three away to Boro.