45+1 mins Miller touch 0-1

Half time: Smoggies 1 Magpies 0

Full time: Smoggies 1 Magpies 0

Having begun the season with successive away wins, Newcastle's U23 side slipped to defeat at the hands of their Teesside counterparts on Friday evening.

Making their debut at the Heritage Park home of Northern League Bishop Auckland, United lacked the attacking fluency that had brought them eight goals in two games and Boro 'keeper Aynsley Pears wasn't tested until well into the second period.

Boro were no better but managed to go in at half time ahead, when a cross from the right struck George Miller on the foot in first half added time and almost apologetically snuck over the goal line.

A poor game was ultimately settled by that poor goal, as United dominated thereafter but failed to create what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Following his return from an abortive loan spell at Bury, striker Tom Heardman completed 45 minutes on his comeback for the black and whites, but contributed little - his task not made any easier by the problems United had negotiating a passage to the final third of the field.

Kyle Cameron's 61st minute effort from a corner was tipped over by Pears and Macaulay Gillesphey's diving header from point blank range ten minutes later was also blocked by the Boro 'keeper.

Faint handball claims were then waved away by referee Joe Hull on 83 minutes when United substitute Owen Gallacher's header deflected off a home defender.

And with almost the last kick of the game, Barlaser - who had appeared for Newcastle's first team just 48 hours earlier - rattled the base of a post.

However the home side - coached by former Magpie Paul Stephenson - held on to claim all three points and preserved their own 100% record after three games.

PS: Having hit a hat trick here against Norwich City a week earlier, Marcus Tavernier featured tonight having made his senior team debut in the League Cup against Scunthorpe 72 hours earlier. The 18 year-old winger is the younger brother of former Magpie James Tavernier.

Biffa