With newly-appointed coach Chris Hogg looking on at Whitley Park, Newcastle's U23 side qualified for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup on Friday.

Needing victory in their final group stage game to ensure a runners-up spot behind winners West Bromwich Albion, United quickly mastered the swirling winds and took control from the first whistle.

The Iron goal had survived a few scares before Tom Allan ran onto a through ball from Rosaire Longelo and confidently slotted home a 17th minute opener.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 when Liam Gibson threaded a low cross in from the left and Allan turned it home from close range to make it 16 for the season.

Elliot Anderson then made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute when he jinked into the box unchallenged from halfway and let fly.

The visitors unexpectedly reduced the arrears in the first minute of added time when a loose ball was volleyed home inside the area by George Hornshaw.

Nine minutes after the break the visitors were back in it when Ludwig Francillette was robbed inside his own half and ex-Magpie Yasin Ben El-Mhanni advanced before firing beyond Jake Turner.

Jack Young restored United's two-goal lead when he curled in a fine free-kick from a central position outside the box in the 61st minute.

And having missed a glaring chance some minutes earlier, substitute Yannick Toure put the tie beyond doubt in the 78th minute when he won his one-on-one with the 'keeper after a fortunate bounce.

Defender Oisin McEntee then added a sixth in the second minute of added time when his hopeful shot from a corner was fumbled in by the 'keeper.

Confirmed last 16 qualifiers:

Blackburn Rovers, Bournemouth, Charlton Athletic, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Everton, Exeter City, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Wolves.

Biffa