Newcastle United U23s 2-4 Southampton U23s: Magpies' play-off hopes ended by 16-year-old star

Newcastle United Under-23s' play-off hopes were ended as Southampton's second string ran riot at St James' Park.

The majority of the damage was done by exciting Saints whizz-kid Tyler Dibling, just 16 and ending his Easter Holidays, who blasted in a first half hat-trick on the big stage. United did manage a response but left themselves with too much to do.

The visitors edged ahead with the first serious attack of the game with just six minutes on the clock when Tyler Dibling hammered a left-footed shot off the post and in at the Gallowgate End. It was a poor goal to concede from a United point of view with Dibling allowed to pick the ball up from the halfway line and waltz though pretty much unchallenged.

Four minutes later, Lucas De Bolle tried his luck but steered a shot wide of the target. Even at that stage this game felt like it had a real end of season feel to it.

With 16 minutes gone Isaac Westendorf got free down the left but his shot was blocked by Harry Lewis who made his first save of the night for Southampton. But it was the Saints who got another chance on 20 minutes when Ramello Mitchell took a touch in the box before blazing wide of the target.

That was a let-off for the Magpies but they did have their best chance of the opening stages when Josh Scott's run from left-back resulted in a fine cross for Tom Allan but Lewis was again equal to it. It would prove to be a moment to rue for Newcastle.

For Southampton went 2-0 up with Dibling once again given some time and space and despatching a powerful shot past Mark Gillespie to put the Hampshire side in full control. Given United's sluggishness for Dibling's first it was alarming to see him score a similar effort so soon.

Incredibly, he was allowed to do it