Newcastle reserves last night crumbled 3-1 against a powerful Leeds side - and have not won in five games this season.

Leeds, with former Newcastle striker Darren Huckerby and ex-Sunderland star Michael Bridges leading the attack, were ahead after just 50 seconds and rarely looked like relinquishing their advantage.

It was Bridges who grabbed the opening goal, stabbing home from close range after Huckerby crossed and United goalkeeper John Karelse could only block Tony Hackworth's shot.

Newcastle spurned the chance of an equaliser when Stuart Green fired past the left post from the penalty spot after Robert Molenaar tripped Argentinian Cristian Bassedas just inside the area.

Bassedas, a £3.5m summer singing for Newcastle, was making his first appearance since breaking his foot in July, but faded after a bright start.

Leeds took advantage of the penalty miss four minutes into the second half when Alan Cawley latched onto the ball after Ryan McGuffie missed a Bridges pass. Cawley drew Karelse before shooting home from 16-yards.

James Coppinger halved the deficit just before the hour, firing in from ten yards after Leeds goalkeeper Danny Milosevic dropped the ball under pressure from Shola Ameobi.

But McGuffie who had a night he will want to forget, capped it all when he headed a Jacob Burns cross into his own net ten minutes later.

Newcastle: Kerelse, McGuffie, Ullathorne, (Boyd 45), Bassedas, G Caldwell, Beharall, Gavilan, (Hamilton 25), Kerr, Coppinger, Ameobi, Green. Subs (not used): Rayner, Orr, Grindlay.

Leeds: Milosevic, Maybury, Evans, Dixon, Moleraar, Lynch, Huckerby, Bridges, (Matthews 61), Hackworth, (Singh 76), Cawley. Burns. Subs (not used): Johnson, Newey, Allaway.

Meanwhile, Steve Caldwell could save Newcastle a fortune in the transfer market following his impressive Premiership debut at Manchester City.

Scottish under-21 defender Caldwell plugged the gaps after coming on as a second half substitute - and made United's backroom staff think twice about strengthening the backline.

The Geordies are resigned to being without Nikos Dabizas for the rest of the season but Marcelino is close to a comeback and Alain Goma should be fit for the clash with Middlesbrough in 13 days time. Coach Mick Wadsworth said: "Steve did all that was asked of him. He's a tough, rugged and determined defender. The manager threw down the gauntlet to him a year ago and he has deserved his chance."