BLACKBURN ROVERS RES 0
NEWCASTLE UNITED RES 1
Barclays Premier Reserve League North
Ewood Park
Monday, February 16, 2009
Kick-off 7pm

Craig Hope reports from Ewood Park ...

SLOVENIAN debutant Haris Vuckic was Newcastle United's matchwinner as he came from the bench to grab the only goal of the game at Ewood Park.

The 16-year-old only arrived on Tyneside last month and was enjoying his first taste of reserve-team action when he came on as a substitute midway through the second-half.

And with 15 minutes left on the clock Vuckic produced the one real moment of class in an otherwise scrappy affair as he dispatched a left-footed shot into the bottom corner with sniper-like precision from 20 yards out.

Before that chances had been at a premium for either side with Mark Doninger coming closest for the visitors as his low strike was blocked inside the six-yard box on 58 minutes.

Alan Smith was skippering the Magpies and he came through another 90 minutes in what was his third second-string run-out since returning from a six-month broken ankle layoff in January.

And, having put in a typically combative display in the United engine room, the 28-year-old could now come into contention for his first senior start of the season when Everton come to St.James' Park on Sunday.

Colin Calderwood again took charge of reserve matters and he was pleased with the spirit of a young Newcastle side who, inspired by the tenacity of Smith, were made to battle every inch of the way for the victory which takes them to third in the table.

The Scottish coach reflected: "We had a few younger lads out tonight but their attitude was terrific and it was a real battle in the second-half.

"The goal was the only real moment of class on the night and it was a finish which was worthy of winning a match."

NUFC: Fraser Forster, James Tavernier, Darren Lough, Mark Doninger (Brad Inman, 67m), James Taylor, Jeff Henderson, Ryan Donaldson (Jonny Godsmark, 59m), Alan Smith, Nile Ranger, Kazenga LuaLua , Frank Wiafe Danquah (Haris Vuckic, 67m)
Subs: Max Johnson, Paul Dummett