Tuesday evening saw Newcastle's reserve side begin their EFL Trophy fixture programme with a narrow defeat against their League Two hosts at the Moss Rose ground.

Managed by Daryl McMahon following the departure of ex-Magpie Sol Campbell, the Silkmen went ahead on 19 minutes when David Fitzpatrick's 30 yard thunderbolt flew past visiting goalkeeper Jake Turner. An effort deservedly applauded by both sets of fans.

United's best chance of levelling before the interval came when Tom Allan was through on goal in the 44th minute, lobbing Reice Charles-Cook but placing his effort narrowly wide of the target.

The equaliser arrived just three minutes after the restart, when Luke Charman picked the ball up inside the Town half, cut across the box and curled a superlative strike into the top corner of the net. Another stunner.

Back came Macc though and what proved to be the winner was a 63rd minute first time shot from on-loan Nottingham Forest striker Virgil Gomis, following a centre from the right flank.

Neil Redfearn's side pressed for a leveller and gave a debut from the bench to 16 year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson in the closing stages of the tie.

However, the home side held firm and survived a scramble in the box during the closing seconds of added time to avenge a shootout defeat at Gallowgate in the same competition last season.

Now renamed from the CheckaTrade Trophy to the Leasing.com Trophy, this is our third season of participation, since Premier League clubs with Category One Academies were invited in.

PS: This was the first time that any Newcastle side has visited Moss Rose to face Macclesfield, but United's U23s debuted at this venue in November 2015 when Stoke City were using it as a temporary base for their reserves. That game clashed with a first team visit to Crystal Palace. 

Niall