15 mins Wilson shot. 1-0

Half time: Reading 0 Magpies 1

51 mins Bailey header. 2-0

54 mins Yarney header. 3-0

60 mins Frost shot. 3-1

67 mins Yarney header. 4-1

Full time: Reading 1 Magpies 4 

Newcastle's U23 side continued their hectic finale to the season with a fourth league and cup game in 11 days, ending a seven game winless league run in style as they debuted at the Adams Park home of Wycombe Wanderers.

Without a league win in 2018, the Magpies faced a Reading side who entertained hopes of reaching the end-of-season promotion playoffs, although they had lost 1-4 on Tyneside back in November.

A sparse crowd saw Adam Wilson give United a 15th minute lead with his first goal at this level when he forced the ball in from close range after the goalkeeper blocked Luke Charman's initial effort.

Visiting goalkeeper Nathan Harker kept out two efforts from striker Tyler Frost inside the first 20 minutes but the Royals made little headway after that point.

United went further ahead six minutes after the break when a looping free kick from the left reached Stefan O'Connor at the back post and his header was nodded in by Owen Bailey from close range.

After turning out in central defence and at full back recently, 19 year-old Tynesider Bailey was deployed in a midfield holding role tonight and scored his fourth U23 goal of the season. 

It was 3-0 three minutes later thanks to Josef Yarney's looping header from another free-kick, with further question marks about the ability of the Royals defence and goalkeeper to defend aerial balls.

The Royals hit back on the hour when Frost burst into the box and wrong-footed Harker with a low shot, but another dead ball delivery from Dan Barlaser brought him a fourth assist of the night and his side a fourth goal - O'Connor's 67th minute header going right through the 'keeper.

Frost did look to have made it 4-2 in added time but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Biffa