RESERVE team chief Tommy Craig hailed his side after the finished their league season by preserving an unbeaten record at Kingston Park.

Last night's 0-0 stalemate with Birmingham City meant the Magpies' shadow squad have drawn four and won 10 of their matches at the home of Newcastle Falcons.

Craig told Newcastle World TV: "It was a mediocre game and once again the pitch won, it made things difficult for both teams.

"It does mean we are unbeaten throughout the season at home and I am delighted.

"We put a lot of hard work into that, there were a lot of hard games this season particularly against teams like Man United and Aston Villa.

"For the squad to be as young as it is to go through the season unbeaten is an achievement at any level.

"It is always difficult to do that you tend to lose two or three but the lads have worked ever so hard.

"In the last few games they have buckled down and they have got their rewards by remaining unbeaten."

Skipper Kris Gate and winger Alan O'Brien both limped out of last night's game in the first half, and there was a youthful look about the team that finished the game against the Blues.

Craig added: "We ended up with seven Academy players on the pitch and sometimes you think they are a bit too young.

"But they get experience and it brings them on.

"If you get one through each season you are happy but if you go back we have had Shola Ameobi, Michael Chopra, Peter Ramage, Steven Taylor, Matty Pattison and Martin Brittain has also played first team level."

Craig's side still have one game left in the Northumberland Senior Cup final against Blyth Spartans a game which takes place next Wednesday at Newcastle Blue Star's Wheatsheaf Ground.

Craig said: "We want to finish with a piece of silverware and finish in style."

Highlights on Newcastle World TV