Having conceded four goals without reply to the Red Devils at Gallowgate earlier in the season, the second meeting of the two sides on Friday was rather closer.

Ben Dawson's Magpies lost by the odd goal in three at Leigh Sports Village, despite a late rally that so nearly saw them force a draw.

With first team players Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah in their starting selection, the hosts took a fortuitous lead on the quarter hour when a wayward effort from Teden Mengi hit Jude Swailes, totally wrong-footing goalkeeper Jake Turner and flying into the corner of the net.

The advantage was doubled eight minutes later when Hanniabl Mejbri fed James Garner and his side-footed effort went in off a post with Turner motionless.

And it was almost three in the 38th minute when Mejbri played in Arnau Puigmal whose a low drive beat Turner rebounded back off the goal frame.

Making his return to the side following a loan spell at Carlisle United, Elias Sorensen came close to giving Newcastle a lifeline four minutes before the break.

However the Dane was denied by Di'Shon Bernard's clearance after latching onto a poor backpass and successfully rounding 'keeper, Jacob Carney. 

Newcastle's Ludwig Francillette headed a corner against the crossbar in first half added time, but it wasn't until the closing moments of the second period that the visitors created clear-cut chances.  

Sorensen's 84th minute drive was blocked by Carney's legs, but the 'keeper could do nothing to prevent substitute Elliot Anderson firing home via an upright a minute before the end (some reports incorrectly gave it to Sorensen). 

Two minutes into added time a Ryan Barrett cross found Anderson, but his goalbound header was luckily blocked by Carney who had come out for the cross.

Many thanks to GW