39mins Ledesma free kick 0-1

45mins Jonathyn Quinn shot 1-1

Half time: Smoggies 1 Magpies 1

47mins Brobbel touch 1-2

48mins Adam Armstrong shot 2-2

61mins Jackson header 2-3

63mins Main shot  2-4

90+3mins Halliday OG 3-4

Full time: Smoggies 4 Magpies 3

The tradition of high scoring reserve encounters between these two sides continued at the Riverside on Friday night - but the Teessiders will wonder how their superiority was reflected in only a single goal advantage at full time.

Boro gave early notice of their intentions when forward Emmanuel Ledesma rattled the Newcastle crossbar from long range after three minutes and he and strike partner Curtis Main were both then denied by 'keeper Jak Alnwick. 

United were forced into a 25th minute change when right back Kevin Mbabu looked to pull a hamstring, but recent Boro signing Dimitrios Konstantopoulos hadn't dirtied his gloves when his side took a a 39th minute lead.

That came when Curtis Good fouled Main on the edge of his own box and Argentinean Lede sma stepped up to curl home a free kick between Alnwick and his near post.

However the Magpies levelled just on half time when Jonathyn Quinn forced the ball home from close range after Remi Streete had headed a corner goalwards.

There was still time for Ledesma to hit the woodwork again with a snap shot, the ball rebounding back off a post and striking Alnwick on the back before bouncing away from the unguarded goal. 

Boro did regain their lead less than two minutes after the restart though, United bizarrely waiting before attempting to make a goalkeeping replacement as the rain fell and lightning flashes illuminated proceedings.

Alnwick took his place between the posts as the second half began, but almost immediately indicated to the Newcastle bench that he was unable to continue.

With substitute custodian Jonathan Mitchell still readying himself on the sidelines, Boro pushed on and a tentative Alnwick was helpess to prevent Main centring for Ryan Brobbel to get a final touch right on the goal line.  

There was an instant response from United though, as Romain Amalfitano's pull back was slammed in by Adam Armstrong for his third goal in as many reserve games.

A headed effort from home captain Adam Jackson just after the hour put the smoggies 3-2 ahead and with Boro continually exposing our defensive frailities down their right flank, Curtis Main shot home two minutes later.

Further Boro goals looked likely and Mitchell tipped an 80th minute effort from Ledesma around his post before denying Main with four minutes of normal time to play. 

And although United netted from another corner well into added time - Boro's Brad Halliday getting the final touch - there wasn't time for an unlikely leveller as the Magpies leaked four goals for the second away game in a row.

Reserves on Smogside - Premier years:

1999/00 won 4-1 Kerr 2, Hamilton, Robinson
2000/01 won 3-0 Coppinger, Gavilan, McMenamin
2001/02 won 2-1 G.Caldwell, Offiong
2002/03 lost 2-4 LuaLua, Gardner
2003/04 won 2-1 Guy, Pattison
2004/05 won 2-0 Bates 2
2005/06 lost 3-4 Chopra 2, Edgar
2006/07 won 5-1 Carroll 3, Ameobi, Godsmark
2007/08 won 5-0 Carroll 3, Godsmark, Neary
2008/09 won 4-1 Marwood, Carroll, OG, Ranger
2009/10 lost 1-2 Baheng

Biffa