Newcastle's second string returned to winning ways on Monday as they overcame their local rivals - although a two goal victory doesn't convey the ease with which the Magpies collected three points.

Without a victory in 13 league games, the mackems got off to the worse possible start at Eppleton when Jack Bainbridge upended Victor Fernandez to concede a sixth minute penalty.

Visiting striker Luke Charman blasted the spot kick into the roof of the net and came close to doubling the lead when poking his 18th minute shot narrowly wide.

Any thoughts that this would be a contest evaporated in the 24th minute, after Brandon Taylor received a straight red card for deliberate handball when last man back - a decision that drew more of a reaction from Kevin Ball in the stand than from the docile players on the pitch. 

There was another chance for Charman on 39 minutes but he looped his header wide from a Fernandez corner. And six minutes after the break Charman tried his luck again, bringing a notable stop from Anthony Patterson at the expense of a corner that was wasted.

Despite their numerical advantage, the green-clad Magpies failed to exploit their numerical advantage by over-elaborating rather than going for the jugular.

With the ball spending the whole of the second period in the mackem half, further goals seemed inevitable and after Charman shot over, Fernandez saw a 65th minute effort blocked on the line.

The elusive second goal final arrived with 18 minutes remaining; Lewis Cass overlapping down the right and finding Fernandez, who turned and rifled the ball home for his first reserve league goal since April 2017. 

There was no further scoring, but Newcastle gave a reserve debut to 17 year-old midfielder Josh Scott from the bench in the closing stages. Just to clarify he's no relation to our other used replacement in this game, Kyle Scott.

It's difficult to recall a more one-sided competitive game and routine victory than this one, a demoralised home side providing less of a threat than the average friendly opponents. 

This really should have been a howking. 

Biffa