Becky Langley's side were 3-0 down inside the opening 36 minutes against Chester le Street Town Ladies on Tuesday evening, but came within inches of claiming a point at Chester Moor.

Charlotte Proud fire the home side ahead after just four minutes, and Sarah Burn made it 2-0 with a stunning long range strike which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. 

And when Nichole Havery added a third, Newcastle looked well beaten in their first match in more than six months. 

However, Anna Soulsby pulled one back just before half time, driving home from Georgia Gibson's free kick.

In the second half, Megan McKenzie had a goal chalked off for offside before Jess Foster shot just wide after a mazy run, then a Gibson strike from the edge of the box cannoned back off a post.

With seven minutes of normal time left, another Gibson free kick was headed home by the diminutive Beth Guy, before the same player struck the woodwork with another header four minutes later.

The Lady Magpies entertain Norton Ladies on Sunday in their first home game of the season. Kick-off at Druid Park is at 2pm (BST) and a maximum capacity of 140 has been set following FA guidance. Face masks must be worn throughout the match.

Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s, while season tickets are available priced at £25 for adults and £10 for under-16s and can be ordered by emailing [email protected]. Gates open at 1.30pm and there is a cashless entry system.

Newcastle United Women: Laura Wareham, Maisie Cole, Megan McKenzie, Jane Harland, Courtney Lock (c), Jess Foster, Rhiannon Gray, Anna Soulsby (Kacie Elson 78), Beth Guy, Georgia Gibson, Katie Barker (Beth Gardner 71)

Subs not used: Dominyka Podziute, Imogen Longcake, Sharna Wilkinson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC