Newcastle United Under-23s suffered a 3-2 defeat to Blyth Spartans in their own backyard on a tough night for Elliott Dickman's side.
In front of watching first-team boss Eddie Howe, the young Magpies suffered a nightmare start to the game and were 3-0 down after just 32 minutes. They did fight back in the second half but by that time had too much to do.
United's youngsters, drubbed by Blyth in pre-season, were looking to sign off for the season in style. Vanarama League outfit Spartans have just staved off the threat of the drop in the sixth tier and were also looking for a big night at St James' Park beneath the lights.
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It was the Croft Park side who had the first glimpse of goal after 10 minutes when Rhys Evans crossed from the right for Corey McKeown but his effort was deflected wide before Newcastle cleared their lines from the resultant corner at the Gallowgate End.
With 20 minutes gone, it was the non-league side who grabbed the lead with a well-worked opener from Blyth's point of view. But Newcastle failed to stop the right-wing cross and left Sado Djalo unmarked in the box to head home.
Three minutes later Blyth doubled their advantage with a cheeky goal from Robbie Dale. A left-wing corner was whipped in and as Newcastle's defence froze a second time the ball spun awkwardly past Max Thompson to make it 2-0.
Blyth were 3-0 up on 32 minutes when Dale's corner was floated on to the head of Nathan Buddle who powered home another first half goal. Shell-shocked United responded eventually with a shot on target from Jay Turner-Cooke but Alex Mitchell was equal to it.
Terry Mitchell's Spartans went in with a commanding lead at half-time after a concerning opening 45 minutes for the Magpies. After the break Blyth dared to cause more damage but McKeown's effort curled wide of the target.
The Magpies pulled a goal back three minutes into the second half when Turner-Cooke delicately chipped the ball over Mitchell.
Moments later former Newcastle youth team star Lewis McNall made a good run down the left but his shot was gathered by Thompson. Spartans brought on former Blackburn Rovers youngster Connor Thomson for goalscorer Djalo just before the hour mark.
Thomson made an instant impact when he danced around three Newcastle defenders and powered into the final third before slicing wide. Seconds later he dropped a neat ball into McNall's path with the striker cutting inside and sending an effort wide of the upright.
Dickman brought on Santiago Munoz and Joe Oliver for the closing stages with Josh Scott and Nathan Carlyon making way. And the Mexican U23 international did not take long to make an impact as he got free in the box and sent an angled effort across the six-yard box and into the bottom corner.
McKeown raced down the left before curling a powerful shot at Thompson with 20 minutes left but the Toon stopper pulled off a brilliant save to turn it away from danger.
Blyth threw both Dan Maguire and Jordan Hickey for the closing stages as they looked for fresh impetus. Yet it was JJ O'Donnell who could have sealed it for the non-league side when he was presented with a close range header but he tamely headed at Thompson.
Dale slipped in Blyth legend Maguire time ticking down but he could only strike it straight at the goalkeeper at the Leazes End. United made a change for the closing stages when Ellis Stanton replaced Brookwell.
But Spartans roared forward once more as Maguire found Hickey but Thompson flicked away his low effort with just four minutes to go. Spartans held on in the closing stages but also used the ball intelligently when they needed to.
After giving themselves a mountain to climb in the first half Newcastle could have no complaints really.
How they lined up
UNITED U23s: Thompson, Carlyon (Oliver 65), Bondswell, Brookwell (Stanton 85), Wiggett, Savage, Allan, De Bolle, Stephenson, Turner-Cooke, Scott (Munoz 65).
BLYTH: Mitchell, Evans (Hickey 72), Buddle, O'Donnell, Dale, McKeown, McNall (Maguire 79), Deverdics, Lees, Djalo (Thomson 60), Almond.
Referee: Darren Williams (NFA)
Attendance: 2,189
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