Half time: Newcastle 0 smoggies 0

69 mins Armstrong shot. 0-1

Full time: Newcastle 0 smoggies 1

BST: Benton Summer Time....

A painfully mediocre game of football at Whitley Park on Tuesday saw the visitors deservedly complete a seasonal double over the hosts, remaining on track for a place in the end-of-season promotion playoffs.

For Newcastle though, a sixth successive defeat in the league - four of which have come on home territory - was an entirely predictable outcome.

Hopes of a change in fortune for the black and whites were briefly raised in the second minute when Owen Bailey converted from close in after a corner - only for it to be disallowed, presumably for an offside.

However that was as good as it got for United until Mo Sangare had sight of goal on 88 minutes, but poked his low shot from 12 yards straight at the 'keeper.

The intervening period saw a few speculative efforts from the home side, but precious little else: what quality there was coming via midfielder Dan Barlaser, appearing for his parent club after struggling to get any pitch time at Crewe Alexandra.

However his prompting was unable to compensate for a featherweight front line that provided no threat.

Despite including a sprinkling of first team squad players, the visitors hardly covered themselves in glory either. However, a double change for them midway through the second period would soon have the desired effect. 

Slack defensive work gave Boro's Luke Armstrong possession on the left hand side of the box and he  shot across Nathan Harker and into the corner of his net for the opening goal in the 69th minute.

By then the fog that had first become noticeable at half time had begun to affect visibility, but didn't prevent Harker from pulling off a trio of saves as the visitors looked to seal victory against a flagging home side who continually surrendering possession.

Boro should have doubled their lead a minute from time, but when Hayden Coulson rolled the ball along the six yard box from the left, substitute Bradley James somehow shot wide of the unguarded goal. 

No doubt he blamed the mist.

Biffa