24 mins Stephenson shot. 1-0

Newcastle U23s 1 mackem U23s 0

85 mins Stephenson shot. 2-0

Newcastle U23s 2 mackem U23s 0

A brace from Dylan Stephenson saw Newcastle U23s complete a derby double at a chilly Whitley Park on Monday evening.

The prolific striker took his seasonal total in all competitions to 12 goals, thanks to close range finishes in each half against a mackem side who had to play most of the game with ten men.

That came after match referee Jacob Miles punished a lunging challenge by Patrick Almond on Brad Cross after 17 minutes with a straight red card.

Cross thankfully continued with no ill effects and the hosts had the lead just seven minutes later; Stephenson jinking past two defenders and slotting home.

However United failed to make their numerical advantage count and the red and whites came back into the contest after the break - the lively Ciaran Dunne seeing one effort blocked by Dan Langley and firing just over after outpacing two opponents and racing into the area.

Newcastle finally made the points safe five minutes from full time, when Lucas de Bolle's shot from distance was beaten out by 'keeper Jacob Carney and Stephenson followed up to net the rebound.

The victory was the first on home soil for Magpies coach Elliott Dickman, who was in charge of the mackems when Newcastle U23s won 2-1 at the stadium of plight in October.

Biffa