38 mins Allan shot. 1-0

Half time: Quakers 0 Magpies 1

51 mins Beeden shot/own goal 1-1

79 mins Stephenson shot. 2-1

90+1 mins Stephenson shot. 3-1

Full time: Quakers 1 Magpies 3

Pre-season pitch time (in minutes):

Allan 45+45=90+1 goal
Barrett 45+0=45
Bondswell 45+45=90
Brookwell 0+45=45
Brown 45+45=90
Carlyon 0+45=45
Cross 45+45=90
Crossley 45+0=45+1 goal
de Bolle 50+45=95
Ferguson 45+45=90
Flaherty 45+45=90
Longelo 45+45=90
McEntee 45+45=90
Miley 45+0=45
Oliver 0+45=45
Savage 45+45=90
Scott 45+45=90
Stephenson 45+45=90+2 goals
Stewart 45+45=90
Thomson 40+0=45
Thompson 0+45=45
Turner 45+0=45
Turner-Cooke 0+45=45
White 45+45=90
Wiggett 45+45=90
Wilson 45+45=90
Young 45+45=90

Matty Bondswell, Jack Young and Tom Allan had all appeared as substitutes for the first team at Doncaster the previous evening, while Oisin McEntee and Max Thompson remained on the bench at The Keepmoat Stadium.

This was the first time a Newcastle XI have visited the Blackwell Meadows ground that Darlington have called home since late 2016. The Magpies last met the Quakers in a pre-season game staged at the Northern Echo Arena in July 2017, Sean Longstaff and Ivan Toney on target in a 2-1 victory.

Following their earlier-than-expected opening friendly at Harrogate Town on Sunday, United's U23s began their scheduled programme away to the National League North Quakers on Saturday.

And fittingly for a town made famous by the exploits of Tyneside railway pioneers George and Robert Stephenson, it was their namesake Dylan who belatedly brought goals for Newcastle.

Managed by SJP old boy Alun Armstrong, Darlington included former Magpie reserve Luke Charman in the line-up and he was denied a 21st minute opener against his old side by a timely block from Remi Savage.

With the hosts wearing a yellow change kit, a black and white club United went in front seven minutes before the break when Tom Allan's solo run into the box ended with a confident low shot to the 'keeper's right.

Reappearing with a completely different XI for the second half, Chris Hogg's side conceded a 51st minute equaliser when a set piece from the right was forced home from close range.

Darlington's Lexus Beeden was given the goal but the vital touch to beat substitute goalkeeper Max Thompson looked to be from a visiting player.

Newcastle regained the lead in the 79th minute when Rosaire Longelo pushed forward through the centre and played in Dylan Stephenson to fire past substitute 'keeper, Lucas Martin, as he came off his line.

And it was Stephenson who got United's third in the first minute of added time after Darlington lost possession in midfield; Joe White releasing Stephenson to net with a routine finish in front of the Tin Shed.

Biffa