Most of those at St. James' Park on Friday night were doubtless hoping to see Magpies striker Elias Sorensen continue his scoring spree - but it was his opposite number Ashley Fletcher who left with the match ball.

The £6.5m signing has had an indifferent time since moving to Teesside last year, but supplied three finishes from as many chances to end Newcastle's hopes of recording a fifth successive league and cup victory.

The hosts dominated the opening half hour without threatening to open the scoring, apart from a shot by Sorensen that Andy Lonergan was able to parry.

However Boro's first genuine attack saw Ben Liddle's flicked effort shave the woodwork and within seconds they had the lead when Fletcher flicked home a cross from the left from close range at the near post. 

The assist came from midfielder Dan Ward, who joined Boro in the summer following his release by Newcastle.

But United responded within a minute, when Sorensen was shoved in the back by Djed Spence as a cross came over and Callum Roberts converted the resultant penalty at the Leazes End - his third success from the spot in as many games.

Giving 45 minutes to Achraf Lazaaar had done little to help Newcastle as an attacking force but after he was substituted at half time, the home attack became even more disjointed and threatened only from corners.

One such set piece saw Owen Bailey's header blocked by a combination of goalkeeper and defender on 59 minutes, only for Boro to retake the lead immediately.

Defensive duo Kelland Watts and Stefan O'Connor each left a speculative long ball to each other and Fletcher nipped in and drew Freddie Woodman before prodding the ball into the net for 1-2.

Fletcher completed his hat-trick five minutes later when he seized on a loose ball in the area and turned before steering the ball into the unguarded corner of the goal.

Ben Dawson's side never looked like recovering from that deficit and were lacking in both urgency and invention, O'Connor's header from a 75th minute corner saved by Lonergan their only real chance of note in the closing stages.

Biffa