Unable to qualify for the knockout stages following defeats in their first two games, Newcastle U21s lost their third and final EFL Trophy group stage tie away to Port Vale on Tuesday night.

And the scorer of both home goals was a former black and whiter - Ashington-born Mark Cullen released by United's Academy aged 14 in 2006.

Overseen by Ben Dawson following the departure of coach Neil Redfearn, an orange-clad United were the better of the two sides in the opening stages.

Efforts from Elliot Anderson and Jack Young were blocked in the opening quarter of an hour, before the hosts rallied and Nathan Smith volleyed over on 25 minutes.

The Valiants went ahead on 39 minutes when visiting goalkeeper Jake Turner parried a shot into the path of Mark Cullen, who found the net.

The Magpies then passed up the chance of going in level at the break, when Tom Allan was clean through on Jonny Maddison but couldn't force his shot beyond the 'keeper.

Into the second half and Newcastle had a genuine let-off when a 47th minute shot from Rhys Browne bounced down off the crossbar and over the goal line, but referee Paul Marsden waved play on as the linesman failed to indicate the goal.

And the mood of the home fans worsened within two minutes when Elliot Anderson headed home an equaliser following a brilliant pinpoint cross from Jamie Sterry out on the United right.

Both sides then traded spectacular efforts in their attempts to go ahead; Turner making a superb one-handed stop on 58 minutes to divert a goalbound header from Daniel Trickett-Smith.

And Maddison then did well on the hour to deny Sterry when the Newcastle player unleashed a stinging long-range effort. 

With three minutes of normal time left, Cullen got his second goal of the night to put his side ahead once again - rounding Turner as he charged off his line and slipping the ball into the empty net.

And that was enough seal victory for Vale, whose 100% record from three games means that they clinched top spot in the group and a home tie in the knockout stages. 

Thanks to GW & CK