2mins Bell shot / Robinson fumble 0-1

Half time: United 0 Benfield 1

57mins Leadbitter shot 1-1

Full time: United 1 Benfield 1

105mins Ranger shot 2-1

Half time of added time: United 2 Benfield 1

106mins Carr header 2-2

114mins LuaLua shot 3-2

119mins Ferguson shot 4-2

Full time of added time: United 4 Benfield 2

Coach Alan Thompson told the Chronicle:

“The first half was absolutely atrocious. Benfield adapted to the pitch and the conditions a lot better than we did. We had a lot of young lads playing who haven’t played a lot of games. I think that showed.

“We didn’t compete to start with. I told them it would be tough and I told them they would need to compete, but we didn’t show any quality in possession. There was no touch or determination, and in games like that on nights like that, that’s what you need.

“In the end we had a bit more of a killer instinct than them to win it.”

Defending champions Newcastle United Reserves needed extra time to dispose of their Northern League opponents on Tuesday night, in a tricky tie at Whitley Park.

Ahead after just two minutes through Shaun Bell when debutant 'keeper Ben Robinson fumbled the ball, Benfield then missed numerous chances to increase their lead in what were wild and windy conditions. At the other end meanwhile, Newcastle's best chance fell to Shane Ferguson, whose effort bounced down off the crossbar and away to safety.

United levelled after the break when right back Dan Leadbitter got on the end of Ferguson's centre to net from close range, but despite the appearance of Nile Ranger from the bench, the non-leaguers more than held their own and gave the Magpies some anxious moments.

With thirty minutes of additional time just seconds away, Ranger missed a great chance to win the tie, cracking his shot from close in off the angle of post and bar.

An outbreak of rain at that point to what was already a raw night proved to be too much for many of the crowd. Dwindling numbers remaining to see Ranger drive wide, Benfield hit the crossbar with a cross/shot and then survive a strong penalty shout against them for handball.

Nile Ranger then struck just before the halfway point in extra time, pivoting in the area to shoot home and put the home side in front for the first time. That goal broke his duck in cup fixtures for United, the youngster having failed to find the net in eight previous Senior Cup, Central League Cup and Youth Cup games.

Back came Benfield though in their "Guantanamo Bay"  orange change kit, with ex-United reserve defender Chris Carr levelling again with a header following a free kick. 

That was tough luck on the youngster Robinson, who had recovered from his shaky start to make some useful stops. However he was decidedly fortunate just moments later, when rushing off his line to collide with an advancing Benfield player outside the box - escaping with a booking.

United then belatedly asserted their authority on the tie, with Kazenga LuaLua's solo run and drive making it 3-2 before Ranger set up Shane Ferguson to shoot home and round off an unconvincing win for Alan Thompson's side.    

Already through to the last four of the competition were Blyth Spartans and Whitley Bay, while the final tie of this round sees Bedlington Terriers face Ashington on Wednesday evening.