A fourth successive victory in all competitions for United's reserves propelled them into the last 16 of the U21 Premier League Cup on Monday night at Whitley Park. 

A brace from Callum Roberts was ultimately enough to dispatch the Railwaymen, but some unimaginative play allowed the visitors back into the game and left United  
needing 30 minutes of extra time to finish the job.

The form of 17 year-old Roberts had seen him promoted to the first team squad last weekend and his 40th minute goal was the highlight of a forgettable first half.

A measured forward pass from birthday boy Macaulay Gillesphey found Roberts advancing over halfway and he played it to an overlapping Alex Gilliead down the right.

He outpaced his marker and pulled the ball back for Roberts to guide home a low shot from 12 yards.

Gael Bigirimana almost doubled the lead seven minutes after the break but his shot from inside the box cannoned back off the post and from that point United gradually dropped out of view as an attacking force.

Given every encouragement to come forward, Crewe inevitably took advantage and levelled with 19 minutes remaining, George Cooper beating Freddie Woodman at his near post with a low drive from just inside the box.

That stirred the home side and Gilliead made progress down the left flank but opted to shoot at Scott Shearer rather than find the unmarked Haris Vuckic in the box.

Striker Tom Heardman then headed in Greg Olley's right wing cross on 80 minutes but it was rightly disallowed for pushing and extra time duly became a reality.

The introduction of Olivier Kemen brought some life into the Newcastle midfield though and the French teenager provided the vital assist after 95 minutes, looping over a left wing centre that Roberts instantly controlled before sidestepping Shearer and rifling home from close in.

Crewe did try to force a penalty shootout and twice tested Woodman during the closing stages, but Callum's brace proved enough to win the tie. 

Round of 16 ties are due to be completed by January 5th and no date has been announced as yet for the draw.

Biffa