45 mins Taylor header. 0-1

Half time: Potters 1 Magpies 0

65 mins Stephenson shot 1-1

77 mins Goodwin header. 1-2

Full time: Potters 2 Magpies 1

Monday evening's Premier League 2 game went the way of the form book at Clayton Wood - but victors Stoke didn't have it all their own way.

It took the promotion-chasing Potters 45 minutes to make the breakthrough on their own training ground, striker Douglas Taylor heading in a D'Margio Wright-Phillips cross from the right flank. 

Until that point Newcastle had been almost completely on the defensive, but without looking particularly threatened by a City side who won and wasted a succession of corner kicks.

Before picking the ball out of his net, visiting goalkeeper Dan Langley had been called into action just once, leaping acrobatically to deny Ethon Varian the chance to net from point blank range in the 26th minute.

A more positive opening from United saw City goalkeeper Robbie Hemfrey called into action in the 49th minute to block a goalbound shot from substitute Josh Scott.

And within two minutes Hemfrey denied Adam Wilson - both opportunities provided by Elliot Anderson on his return to the side.

An equaliser did arrive on 65 minutes though; a sweeping move upfield involving Lucas de Bolle, Wilson and Scott ending with Dylan Stephenson sliding in to register his first goal at this level.

Needing victory to confirm their playoff place, Stoke regained the lead on 77 minutes following a defensive mix-up that gave them possession in the box - Varian heading the ball on for Will Goodwin to nod in from close range.

And that's how it finished, Newcastle narrowly beaten but ending the day at the bottom of the table, after basement dwellers West Bromwich Albion picked up a point against Wolves hours earlier.