Newcastle's second string relinquished their nine game unbeaten league record at the stadium of plight on Wednesday night, as an inexperienced lineup proved incapable of containing livewire mackem Ryan Noble. The wearside-born England youth international forward grabbed a ten minute hat trick, as the red and whites recorded their first reserve derby home win since 2005. 

Injuries, international callups and the unavailability of first team squad players forced United coach Willie Donachie to field a starting XI that showed seven changes from his side's last outing. And that much-weakened side included Swedish winger Samuel Adjei - making his first start at this level since November 2009 and ring rusty to say the least. 

James Tavernier lined up at centre half for his first Magpies appearance since a loan spell with Carlisle United, while Jak Alnwick meanwhile played his first competitive reserve game of the campaign, despite remaining with Gateshead on a temporary basis.

His appearance following the amendment of the loan agreement with Gateshead for both he and defender Jeff Henderson to allow them to play for our reserves when games don't clash with 'Heed fixtures. Henderson however was a no-show for this game after failing a late fitness test, while the mackems were similarly unable to give bad boy Titus Bramble the expected run out. 

After an even first 35 minutes, during which Joan Edmundsson prodded wide for United and Michael Richardson made a vital clearance to keep the game scoreless, Alnwick was picking the ball out of his net from Noble - getting a hand to his effort but proving unable to keep it out.

There was almost an immediate response when Adam Campbell's close-range header was palmed away by Trevor Carson at the other end, but Noble then got his second four minutes before half time, converting a deflection.

Any thoughts of a second half comeback from the league leaders however were dispelled within seconds of the restart, as Noble swept down the mackem left before beating Alnwick for the third time in quick succession. That proved to be the end of the scoring, with United's defence tightening up somewhat and the side enjoying more possession in midfield.

Despite introducing Academy top scorer JJ Hooper though, we continued to find few sights of goal and only an 80th minute free kick from Edmundsson forced Carson into action to ensure that he retained a clean sheet. The Faroe Islander showed some composure on the ball in stark contrast to a number of his colleagues, while our slipshod tackling was also cause for concern and set pieces perhaps best forgotten about altogether.

Newcastle's miserable night was then rounded off in added time when left back Patrick Nzuzi was red-carded for a foul on the edge of of his own box - although nothing came of the subsequent free kick. That left both sides a man short by full time, with the mackems losing a player to injury on 89 minutes after earlier using all three permitted replacements.

The Magpies retained their position at the top of the table for 24 hours before Manchester United overtook them on goal difference after beating Wigan 4-1 at Altrincham.

mackems (a) - Premier Reserve League record:
(all games at stadium of plight unless stated)

2011/12 lost 0-3
2010/11 won 3-1 Ranger, Lovenkrands, R.Taylor
2008/09 won 2-1 Ranger, Godsmark (Eppleton CW)
2007/08 drew 2-2 Godsmark, Doninger
2005/06 drew 1-1 Huntington (Durham City)
2004/05 lost 1-2 McClen (Durham City)
2003/04 won 3-1 Chopra, Dabizas, Orr (Durham City)
2002/03 lost 0-1
2001/02 won 2-0 McMenamin, Cort
2000/01 lost 1-3 Bonvin
1999/00 drew 1-1 Marcelino

Biffa

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