ALAN PARDEW might be struggling to remember what it takes to win a game but Peter Beardsley led Newcastle United’s Under-21s to victory at St James’ Park.

Beardsley’s crop of young guns overcame Wolves 2-1 courtesy of goals from Gael Bigirimana and Tom Heardman on Tyneside.

Bigirimana, who has been unable to force his way in to the first team reckoning regularly since moving from Coventry two years ago, hit the first when he made the most of an opening in the area in the 21st minute.

And just after the half hour Newcastle’s dominance was rewarded with a second when Heardman met a cross from Shane Ferguson with his head.

Wolves did pull one back shortly after half-time when Eusebio Bancessi powered in a lovely long range effort, but the Magpies stood strong at the back to claim the win.

Newcastle: Alnwick; Williams, Ferguson, Abeid, Streete, Satka, Gilliead, Bigirimana, Heardman, Barlaser, Ameobi. Subs: Woodman, Quinn, Olley, Roberts, Gillesphey.

MANCHESTER UNITED made Sunderland Under-21s’ night a miserable one at Old Trafford.

Adnan Januzaj, impressing in front of Louis van Gaal, hit a hat-trick to condemn Robbie Stockdale’s Black Cats side to defeat. His first arrived in the 19th minute when he arrowed an effort in to the net following some neat link up play with Will Keane.

Three minutes later Andreas Pereira made it two when he converted Luke Shaw’s cross. And Shaw also supplied Januzaj with his second. His hat-trick was complete when he made the most of some good work from Marnick Vermijl.

Sunderland did have their moments, but goalkeeper Ben Amos was on hand to deny Carl Lawson, Rees Greenwood and Duncan Watmore.

Sunderland: Stryjek, Cartwright, TRobson, Agnew, McNamee, Ferguson, Watmore, Smith, Gooch, Lawson, Greenwood. Subs: E Robson, Pybus, Dixon, Sukar.

MIDDLESBROUGH moved up to third in the Under-21s table with a 3-1 win over Blackburn.

Boro took the lead in the 17th minute when Fewster turned in a well taken free-kick from Andy Halliday. Four minutes later the former, who is wanted by Hartlepool on loan, tapped in from close range.

The third arrived 22 minutes from time when Tom McAloon struck a low shot between the goalkeeper’s legs and Blackburn hit a consolation six minutes later through Sam Joel.

Boro: Coddington; B Halliday, Atkinson, Burn, Bennett, Maloney, A Halliday, Morris, Fewster, Cooke, McAloon. Subs: Weledji, Fryer, Kitching, Jones, Mondal.