Kick-off at the 5,108-capacity Peninsula Stadium was delayed to allow players and staff from both sides to assist in clearing the pitch of snow, with wintry conditions persisting throughout the 90 minutes.

But once the game got under way, the travelling Lady Magpies supporters were warmed up by an excellent victory - with events snowballing after Georgia Gibson gave United the lead just before half time.

Until then, the home side had arguably carried the greater threat, with only some last-ditch defending and good goalkeeping from the ever-reliable Grace Donnelly keeping Salford at bay.

But amid the baltic temperatures, in-form Gibson was suitably ice-cold in front of goal in the 41st minute as she fired home from the edge of the area.

Two minutes into the second half, Katie Barker hit a post but she was able to give Newcastle some much-needed breathing space in the 69th minute after she beat the offside trap and powered the ball high into the net. 

And it was game over four minutes later when a Barker cross was deflected in off a home defender to make it three. 

There was still time, though, for Kacie Elson to add a fourth with a fine goal, as she brought a high ball under her spell, beat a Salford player and curled into the top corner from just outside the box. 

United's ladies can now look forward to Monday's third round draw - and after a day which started with an arduous journey in awful weather and saw them shovelling snow off the playing surface before producing a four-goal show, it is no less than they deserve. 

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane (c), Jane Harland (Keira Skelton 73), Bethany Guy, Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Lauren Robson, Rachel Lee (Sharna Wilkinson 84)

Subs not used: Jess Spark, Georgina Spraggon, Louis Greenslade, Becky Ferguson