It's now three successive wins for Newcastle U23s in league and cup games under coach Elliott Dickman, with their latest success coming at a chilly Whitley Park on Friday afternoon.

And once again the black and whites were grateful to top scorer Dylan Stephenson, who took just three minutes to notch his thirteenth goal of the season in his twentieth outing.

Lucas de Bolle then doubled the advantage on 83 minutes, before the visitors - by then reduced to ten men - pulled one back during added time.

Going into what was the fourth of six group stage fixtures in this season's Premier League Cup, Newcastle had won one, drawn one, and lost the other.

That defeat was away to Watford in September; a woeful United display rightly punished with a 0-2 reverse.

In need of points to help secure a top two finish that guarantees progression to the knockout stages, the hosts made a perfect start in front of a sparse crowd.

Rosaire Longelo powered down the left and set Joe White away to fire over a low cross that Stephenson converted from close range at the second attempt.

The visitors had two good chances to level but a good block by Dan Langley in the 13th minute denied them after a speedy counter attack. Then three minutes before the break a defensive slip let in Freddie Moriarty but he fired across the goal.

In between those incidents Newcastle made and missed several opportunities to extend their lead; Joe White and de Bolle both testing Hornets 'keeper Adam Parkes.

Parkes again denied de Bolle after the break before the visitors had a player sent off - the third successive U23 game that United have faced ten men.

That came on 81 minutes when Kamil Conteh was dismissed after receiving a slightly harsh second yellow card for blocking an opponent.

The black and whites soon made that numerical advantage count, 19 year-old midfielder de Bolle dashing into the area and firing home his first U23 goal.

That looked to have sealed victory, but the Hornets did find a goal in the second minute of three added on; a free kick just outside the area played to JJ McKiernan, who found the net with a low shot from the edge of the box.

United round off their PL Cup group games with ties at Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town in January and February respectively.

Biffa