It's now five games without defeat in all competitions for United's U23s, following victory in their Premier League 2 fixture at Leyland on Monday evening.

Having included Daryl Murphy, Massadio Haidara and Achraf Lazaar last week, the only players with any first team experience on show for United at the Lancashire FA were Curtis Good and Callum Roberts.

Peter Beardsley was also without top scorer Sean Longstaff, who suffered a hand injury against West Bromwich Albion last Monday. Former mackem duo Anthony Stokes and Wes Brown were in the Rovers starting selection meanwhile.

An uneventful first half not surprisingly ended scoreless, Newcastle's best chance a 42nd minute effort from Liam Gibson that tested the 'keeper.

United started the second half strongly and were rewarded with a 55th minute goal, visiting striker Luke Charman's shot blocked by goalkeeper Andy Fisher.

And from the resultant corner, defender Stuart Findlay was well placed to net his first goal for the club, stabbing home the rebound after his header was cleared off the line by a defender.  

The Magpies handed a league debut to youngster Adam Wilson just after the hour mark, a winger / forward filling in at left back recently for the U18s.

And he soon made his mark, providing the centre for Roberts to grab his third goal of the season with six minutes of normal time remaining.

Victory leaves United on 17 points from their 11 league games this season - just one short of their final tally from 22 outings in the 2015/16 campaign.