Gateshead 2-3 Newcastle: Saint-Maximin shines & stars watch on

Newcastle's stars in the stands understandably dashed for cover when the heavens opened and there were fears at half-time - with the Magpies trailing 2-0 - that the game would be suspended, such were the conditions.

But the players reappeared and Newcastle's class ultimately told, Elliot Anderson, Saint-Maximin and substitute Jay Turner-Cooke with the goals to ensure United started the summer with victory.

With Newcastle's internationals given an extended break before reporting back for pre-season, the starting XI was always going to be makeshift for the first friendly of the summer.

We can safely assume, for example, that the Magpies won't be starting with four recognised full-backs in their team in the opening Premier League weekend against Aston Villa as they did at Gateshead. And there'll be a recognised frontman leading the line as well - the absence of which was telling in the first half at a storm-soaked Gateshead International Stadium when the Magpies missed a string of chances and were made to pay, the National League side getting themselves two goals in front, just as they did against Sunderland seven days earlier.

But like Sunderland, Newcastle hit back, inspired by Saint-Maximin, who looked sharp in the hour and a bit he played before he was replaced. It was no surprise the Frenchman was named Man of the Match by the announcer in the dying seconds.

The starting XI took a fair bit of working out when it dropped an hour before kick-off, mainly because of the presence of so many full-backs. Only when the game kicked off did it become apparent how they'd fit in.

Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett were on the right and left side of defence, with Kieran Trippier right of a midfield three and Jamal Lewis in a wide left attacking role supporting Saint-Maximin.

Marcus Dinanga opened the scoring on 12 minutes and Stephen Wearne doubled Gateshead's lead on the stroke of half-time.

Newcastle could have been in front after just 15 seconds Matt Ritchie flashed a shot from inside the box just wide. Ritchie went close again with a header that was cleared off the line before Sean Longstaff was denied with only Mair to beat after being played in by-Maximin.

There was a fourth clear cut chance before Gateshead's opener when Lewis skewed a shot wide from inside the box when he had the time and space to pick his spot.

Gateshead striker Dinanga showed the hosts how it's done, finishing clinically with his left foot.

Newcastle lost some of their early rhythm after falling behind but were almost gifted an equaliser when Regan Booty inadvertently teed up Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman hit a fierce drive but Mair was again equal to it, making his best save of the opening period.

And the hosts made it two just before the break, Wearne rounding Darlow before finding the bottom corner.

Howe made a couple of changes at the break, with Loris Karius replacing Darlow in goal and Alex Murphy on for Savage in defence. It was a tactical tweak, however, that quickly paid dividends. Saint-Maximin was shifted to the left and Anderson moved through the middle and the pair combined for two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half.

Saint-Maximin was the creator of the first, teeing up Anderson who slotted underneath Mair at the second time of asking, before the roles were reversed for the leveller when Anderson crossed for Saint-Maximin, who couldn't miss from close range.

That was the cue for Howe to ring the changes, but the youngsters who were introduced completed the turnaround.

The winner - 10 minutes from time - was a beauty, Lewis Miley picking out Turner-Cooke, who took a left-footed volley on the run and slotted into the bottom corner.

Newcastle: Darlow (Karius, 46), Manquillo (Ndiweni, 72) Trippier (De Bolle, 64), Savage (A.Murphy, 46), Burn (Hackett, 83), Lewis (Wiggett, 77), Targett (White, 64), Longstaff (Parkinson, 64)  Ritchie (L.Miley, 64), Anderson (Turner-Cooke, 72) Saint-Maximin (Ashby, 64)

Substitutes: Gillespie