Newcastle U23s' attempt to emulate their first team colleagues and gain promotion to the top flight foundered at the final hurdle at St. James' Park on Tuesday night.

A crowd of over 1,800 saw them grab a deserved lead against West Ham in their playoff semi-final tie - only to twice pay the price for leaving striker Toni Martinez space to work in.

The promising Spaniard netted twice against United at reserve level earlier in the season and also notched a goal while on loan at Oxford during our FA Cup loss. 

And he scored either side of half time at SJP, as West Ham came from behind to claim a place in Premier League 2 Division One next season at our expense. 

Magpies coach Peter Beardsley handed starts to long-term injury victims Liam Smith and Kyle Cameron and that pair combined on 19 minutes to set up the opener: Smith's corner nodded back by Cameron for Tom Heardman to force the ball in on the goal line. 

Although knocking the ball around well, Newcastle were unable to create anything else and conceded following a rare bit of pressure just before half time - Martinez picking his spot from inside the box.

And it was Martinez again who struck ten minutes after the break when he was given sight of goal and duly obliged with another sweetly-struck shot from 18 yards that beat Nathan Harker in the Leazes End goal.

Sadly for the hosts, their best efforts to find a leveller and force extra time were unsuccessful - their main opportunity a 75th minute corner that caused a scramble in the six yard box before visiting goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel recovered to smother it. 

Backed by a small knot of fans in one end of the East Stand, West Ham celebrated their success on a hastily-erected stage in the centre circle, their achievement marked with medals and a shield. 

That was a disappointing end to an improved season for Newcastle's second string, who more than doubled their points tally from the 2015/16 campaign to record their best points tally since 2013. 

Biffa