It's now just one defeat in nine league and cup outings for United's reserve side, who twice came from behind against Stoke at Whitley Park before a familiar scorer summoned up the winning goal.

There was little indication of what was in store in the tentative opening exchanges by both sides, with the sparse crowd having little to warm them up until City broke the deadlock after 20 minutes. 

The Newcastle defence pushed far too far forward and were almost on the half way line when a long ball by Shenton set visiting forward Tyrese Campbell racing away up field in the inside left channel. 

There was no-one within 20 yards of him as he bore down on Otto Huuhtanen and his shot across the 'keeper into the far corner was perfectly placed.

Stoke continued to control the game without looking like adding to their lead and it was against the run of play when United levelled a minute before the break. 

Credit for the goal goes to Sean Longstaff, whose strength and tenacity saw him win possession from an opponent before showing great awareness to spot the unmarked Callum Roberts moving out to his right. A perfect lay-off was then matched by the quality of finish from Roberts, chipping in from just inside the box. 

Newcastle looked far more convincing in the second half but were caught out by the visitors on 69 minutes when Daniel Jarvis sent over an inch-perfect cross from the right wing and Mark Waddington rose at the edge of the six yard box on the far side to head home for 1-2.

Yet, within three minutes, Newcastle were level again thanks to a delightful solo effort by Roberts, delicately dribbling through the Stoke area before finishing from close range to go into double figures for the season.

By then United had been boosted by the arrival of Elias Sorensen and he gave the attack added impetus, twice denied by decent saves by Daniel Gyollai. However City's Hungarian-born custodian could do absolutely nothing about the Danes' third attempt on goal, six minutes from full time.

Roberts was creator this time, laying the ball off to Elias who let fly from outside the penalty area and saw his shot scream into the roof of the net for a fine winner.

Thanks to AC, who turned his back on live TV coverage of the first team to write a report. Bravo!

And cheers to Mark Carruthers for the photo.

Biffa