Job done

Newcastle U21s returned to league action on Saturday afternoon, losing a thrilling encounter at Reading's Hogwood Park training ground by the odd goal in seven.

Making six changes to the starting line-up that exited from the U21 Cup in midweek, youngster Adam Laider retained his place in defence for his league debut at this level. 

Remie Streete returned from injury and there was a first competitive club outing in almost a year for Curtis Good, having recovered from a long-standing hip problem. 

Tom Heardman put the Magpies ahead when the Royals' 'keeper dallied and the striker nipped in,  took the ball off him and tapped it home with just five minutes gone.

But the home side levelled a minute later with a curled effort from 22-yards from Jack Stacey.

The Royals went ahead in the 19th minute when Pierce Sweeney headed in a right wing corner which hit Streete on the way in.

But back came United, Haris Vuckic cutting in from the left and hit a shot that hit a defender and looped over the 'keeper and into the net as Heardman followed up twelve minutes before the interval.

The Royals regained the lead in the 58th minute when the visitors' defence failed to clear and Ryan Edwards played in Stacey who fired powerfully from ten yards left-footed.

Ten minutes later it was all-square again when Alex Gilliead's mazy run left three defenders trailing and his cross was side-footed in by Adam Armstrong via the underside of the bar - his sixth goal in just four starts.

Reading went in front again on 82 minutes when Edward's shot was parried by Freddie Woodman only for Dominic Samuel to fire the rebound into the corner.

Despite this defeat Peter Beardsley's side retained pole position in Division Two on goal difference - and a 3-0 defeat for Boro at Brighton on Monday kept us there. 

Thanks to GW for the report.