Newcastle United fought back from a goal down to claim a fine 4-1 pre-season victory over Hartlepool.

Magpies run riot over neighbours

Newcastle United fought back from a goal down to claim a fine 4-1 pre-season victory over neighbours Hartlepool. Matty Robson fired the League One side ahead at Victoria Park on 16 minutes after latching onto Joel Porter's neat through-ball. That lead nearly lasted until half-time, but forgotten man Damien Duff sent a pin-point left-footed curler inside Arran Lee-Barrett's far post to level the scoreline. The visitors took control of the contest after the interval with new-boy Danny Guthrie picking out Duff who coolly slotted home his second of the game on 52 minutes. Newcastle put the game beyond the home side within 60 seconds with Guthrie's low drive from outside the box taking a slight deflection and nestling into the back of Lee Barrett's goal. With just minutes remaining Duff completed his hat-trick after sending the ball into the top corner after being teed up by Shola Ameobi to complete a fine afternoon's work.