LEE Clark's young side lost their first league game of the year as Manchester United's second string ran out 3-0 winners at Hyde United's Ewen Fields ground.

Despite dominating the second period, the Magpies were unable to get back into the game after finding themselves two goals down at the interval.

Clark started with veteran keeper Pavel Srnicek in between the posts, and 15-year-old Ryan Donaldson in attack after the late withdrawal of Albert Luque.

Michael Barnes fired the hosts in front after 15 minutes, latching onto a Dong Fangzhuo flick to slide the ball under the on-rushing Srnicek from the edge of the area.

And the Red Devils doubled their advantage on 27 minutes with Dong again the provider, this time playing in Jamie Mullan before the winger coolly slotted past Srnicek.

The Magpies survived a further scare before the break, goalscorer Barnes rounding Srnicek but he could only strike the post from a narrow angle.

United's only real chance of the half came when Callum Morris headed wide from 12 yards after connecting with a Kazenga LuaLua right-wing centre.

Chances were at a premium in the second period and, despite enjoying the majority of possession, the visitor's only real effort on goal was a speculative 30-yard shot from skipper Kris Gate which was comfortably gathered by Tom Heaton.

Chris Eagles eventually sealed the points for the Red Devils with just one minute left on the clock.

The midfielder picked up the ball on halfway before running at a beckpedalling United defence and letting fly with a 25-yard curler which crept inside Srnicek's post.

Man United Res: Heatob, Lee, Evans, Lea, Chester, Ngalula (Hewson, 71mins), Mullan, Fangzhuo (Burns, 61), Smith, Eagles, Barnes. Subs (not used): Crockett, Eckersley, Cleverley

Newcastle United Res: Srnicek, Gate, Cave, Doninger, Edgar (Wiafe Danquah, 79mins), Morris, LuaLua, Pattison (Shanks, 67), Troisi, Donaldson, O'Brien (Jonny Godsmark, 67m) Subs (not used): Forster, Francis.

Motherwell will apologise to Jason Scotland and have promised to ban for life the ''idiots'' who racially abused the St Johnstone striker.

About a dozen supporters in Fir Park's main stand twice directed racist taunts at Scotland on Wednesday night when he had possession in the opening stages of St Johnstone's 2-1 Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-final victory.

They were reprimanded by the vast majority of home fans around them and did not repeat the abuse after police and stewards were alerted.

Motherwell owner John Boyle said: ''We are utterly appalled by this behaviour by a small group of people who have tarnished the name of our club. We are writing to Jason Scotland and St Johnstone to apologise."

Semi-finals draw of the Tennent's Scottish Cup: St Johnstone v Celtic, Hibernian v Dunfermline.