Despite seeing Shefki Kuqi miss from the penalty spot, Newcastle's second string pulled off a fourth successive home victory on Wednesday night - but only just.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1 and into time added on, debutant left back Michael Riley hoisted a fine centre into the Arsenal area, where Phil Airey was on hand to beat his marker and bury a header to win it for United.

That was the Northumbrian striker's sixth goal in eight reserve starts this season and the first since his senior team debut in January and later absence through injury. Airey was partnered up front by Shefki Kuqi and the Finnish international wasted a glorious chance to register his first goal in our colours, after he had been fouled in the box after 19 minutes by centre half Daniel Boateng.

Kuqi's attempt to emulate Barcelona's spot-kick against Arsenal was more messy than Messi and after a stuttering run-up, a weak kick was easily saved by Sean McDermott.

However, that miss was followed by Newcastle's best spell of the game in front of goal in the following five minutes. Michael Richardson blasted wide and Airey tried his luck with a low shot that was tipped round the post.

The breakthrough came on 24 minutes, when midfielder Greg McDermott found the net with a considerably harder shot from 12 yards in open play than Kuqi.

That United went into the half time break holding a lead was due in no small part to Tim Krul's prowess. The 'keeper rushed off his line to block a Rhys Murphy effort with his legs on 31 minutes and then made an instinctive block to deny Ignasi Miquel from close in seven minutes later.

Arsenal took just nine minutes of the second period to level however, despite Kuqi almost atoning for his error by heading narrowly wide within seconds of the restart.

Tom Cruise found space down the Gunners left and his precise cross was headed home by Josh Rees at the Leazes End, although the ball looked to have deflected off both defender and goalkeeper before going in.

From then on Arsenal looked by far the more likely winners and enjoyed lengthy periods of possession, Krul denying Murphy once again by fisting his shot over the bar.

Chances came and went for the visitors however and the latter stages saw Newcastle begin to threaten at the other end - Richardson rounding the 'keeper but only able to scoop the ball goalwards and seeing Miquel hack clear. 

Richardson though played his part in the winning goal, successfully challenging Sead Hajrovic in front of the East Stand, Riley then centring for Airey to head the winner.

PS: As well as Michael Riley, second half substitutes Ryan McGorrigan and Dan Taylor both made their reserve bows - bringing the total of players to have got pitch time in our 14 reserve league games to date up to 44. 

Biffa
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