Newcastle's Carabao Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle on Wednesday; 30,000 fans inside SJP to see Steve Bruce's side eliminated on penalties - further blighting our pathetic spot kick record.

Since a marathon loss to the mackems here in the same competition in 1979, The Magpies have failed to win a single penalty shootout on home territory; this their eighth unsuccessful attempt to get some satisfaction in League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League. 

Our latest failure came after 90 scoreless minutes during which Burnley failed to test Freddie Woodman but hung on as United just couldn't summon up the goal that would surely have put them out.

Retaining just the goalkeeper and Jamaal Lascelles from the starting line-up beaten at Aston Villa, the hosts unsurprisingly took some time to make any headway - aided by a visiting side completely disinterested in attacking.

Half time arrived with only Jeff Hendrick having had any notable attempts on goal: one wide and one deflected wide. The same player then somehow failed to net against his own side from close range four minutes after the restart.

A livelier second half display from United saw Dwight Gayle denied what would have been a first cup goal in our colours, when his run and shot from a narrow angle rattled the underside of the crossbar on 55 minutes.

Gayle and Manquillo then saw efforts saved by debutant Clarets custodian Wayne Hennessey before Allan Saint-Maximin, Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron appeared to audible excitement from younger elements of the crowd.

In truth though the big guns added little of substance - and two of them would make unwanted contributions to the eventual outcome.

With extra time no longer played in this competition, the tie went straight to penalties at the 90 minute mark; coach Graeme Jones to the fore and Bruce standing aside as the Magpies players went into their pitchside huddle.

Sadly his club shootout experience was to be no more profitable than the England one last month - this attempt getting off to the worst possible start when Hennessey met a weak kick from Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman may have a decent goal record against Burnley, but quite why he was entrusted to take the first kick was unclear - especially as he still looked to be feeling the after-effects of several meaty challenges.

The next six spot kicks were all netted at the Leazes End; Joe Willock, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff all flawlessly converting theirs while Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and Dwight McNeil followed suit.

Hopes that our home hoodoo could finally be ended were raised when Woodman blocked Josh Brownhill's spot kick to leave the score at 3-3 (and have us readying our "Tumbling Dyche" headline...)

However Almiron promptly emulated Saint-Maximin's tame effort, leaving Charlie Taylor to convert and put Burnley into Round Three; United beginning their season with three defeats to sides clad in claret and blue.

Never mind the late trio of replacements though; the side that was selected to start was experienced and proficient enough to have won this game in normal time - not least due to the rottenness of Burnley.

Aside from the outcome, there were some positives to be taken: Javier Manquillo putting in a decent shift at right wing back on his first start since March and Sean Longstaff looking more like his old industrious self.

Rather less impressive however was the returning Jamal Lewis while Ryan Fraser at least got into some crossing positions, even if his delivery wasn't particularly clever. A general failure to get Gayle into the game effectively was also concerning.

If you're looking for other crumbs of comfort, all three sides relegated from the Premier League last season played more than one League Cup tie - and we now have a free week before visiting Watford next month, unlike the Hornets.

None of that is remotely inspiring, but reflects the grim reality of Premier League survival. A cup run would be nice, but you can't always get what you want....

Biffa