Monday's uneventful Premier League Cup Quarter Final tie at Little Benton always looked like being settled on penalties - but the pivotal spot kick was converted midway through the second half, not in a shootout.

A fine Tyneside afternoon found a small crowd that included Rafa Benitez present for a game in which neither goalkeeper played a meaningful role until the closing stages of the first half.

Magpies custodian Nathan Harker then denied both Andy Rinomhota and Omar Richards within a minute, before the home side broke upfield in added time - Jamie Holmes seeing his shot saved and a vital challenge blocking the follow-up from Adam Wilson.

The visitors had looked increasingly comfortable in possession but were gifted the chance to go ahead in the 71st minute, match referee Tom Neild pointing to the spot following minimal contact between Luke Charman and Royals defender Gabriel Osho.

US youth international Andriya Novakovich slotted home the penalty and then created a shooting chance for himself with a neat dummy seconds later - only for Harker to stretch out a foot and divert the ball wide.

The introduction of Yasin El-Mhanni boosted United's attacking attempts but service into the box remained problematic and Reading 'keeper Luke Southwood was barely troubled throughout.

United's best chance of forcing extra time fell to Tom Heardman on 83 minutes, but he somehow flicked Charman's pull back wide of the target from close in.

Despite this setback, Peter Beardsley's side now have two league games in which to seal their place in the Premier League 2 Second Division promotion playoffs.

Biffa