Newcastle reserves qualified for the knockout stages of this season's CheckaTrade Trophy after an entertaining tie at Blundell Park on Tuesday night. 

Following victories at Notts County and Doncaster Rovers, the Magpies maintained their 100% record - meaning that they will finish top of their group and receive a home tie in this Friday's last 32 draw.

Things got off to a poor start against the League Two hosts, conceding after just nine minutes when former Magpies striker JJ Hooper fired past goalkeeper Nathan Harker from the edge of the box. 

However the blue-clad Magpies levelled 10 minutes later, Elias Sorensen robbing a home defender and squaring for Callum Roberts to guide a low shot in.

And by the 26th minute the visitors were ahead, after Roberts latched on to a loose ball and scampered down the left flank before standing up a cross to the back post for Sorensen to nod home from close range. That's the Danish forward's 15th goal this season.

Back came the Mariners and Martyn Woolford twice threatened the United goal - although his 28th minute effort was heading well wide before Liam Gibson stuck out a foot and diverted narrowly wide of the goal. 

The much-travelled midfielder then crossed for Jordan Cook to place his header off target before Hooper's knock-on found Cook, who found the side netting.

Both teams were unchanged for the second half and Town levelled on 54 minutes when Cook executed a spectacular overhead kick after a headed clearance.

Introducing Adam Wilson and Yannick Toure (the latter replacing Sorensen after some stern treatment), United made and missed a trio of chances in quick succession: Roberts, Wilson and Sean Longstaff all denied.

United won it in some style on 77 minutes, after Roberts was upended just outside the Town area. Up stepped Matty Longstaff to curl a beautiful free kick round the defensive wall and statuesque goalkeeper.

The next stage of this competition sees the eight group winners and runners-up from the Northern and Southern sections enter into a draw that remains regionalised. 

Group winners Newcastle get a home tie against a Northern Section runner-up other than the one from their own group; either Stoke City U21s, Bury, Macclesfield Town, Manchester City U21s.

The hoped-for pairing against the mackems cannot take place - at least in the last 32 - after the red and whites managed to win their group.

With thanks to GW