Newcastle Reserves injected four first-teamers into their struggling side - and reaped instant rewards with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough's second-string in the Tyne-Tees reserve derby last night.

Striker Shola Ameobi, winger Darren Ambrose, midfielder James Milner and goalkeeper Steve Harper all played as Boro were sunk by half-time at Kingston Park.

The Teessiders had no answer as Ambrose scored once and Ameobi, looking head and shoulders the best player on view, added two more in three minutes just before the break.

In front of the watching Graeme Souness, Ambrose turned a low cross from Alan O'Brien home on 16 minutes.

Milner put one great chance wide and was denied by Nash before Ameobi converted a Milner cross from six yards in the 40th minute.

In the next minute Boro's David Wheater, headed against the bar then fired the rebound over from point-blank range. His agony was doubled two minutes later when Ameobi curled a magnificent 25-yarder around Nash and in off the bar.

To their credit, Boro, despite being outplayed, fought back but rarely looked likely to recover the deficit.

Newcastle: Harper, Brennan, Cave, Ramage, Huntington, Armbrose, Brittain, McClen, Milner, Ameobi, A O'Brien. Subs (not used): Guy, G Bates, Webster, Howe, Bartlett.

Middlesbrough: Nash, Davies, Taylor (Grounds 78), Wilson, M Bates, Wheater, Peacock, Kennedy, Graham, Job, Johnson (Reed 69). Subs (not used): Craddock, Owens, Roberts.

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