Peter pleased with young Magpies' win

Callum Roberts’ fine first half strike separated the sides at United’s Little Benton Academy, as the hosts made it 14 goals without conceding in their last three outings.

And Magpies legend Beardsley reckons the quality of some of the play from his side could even have warranted a more convincing scoreline.

“We played some lovely football, and that’s what we want them to play, that’s what we want them to do,” he told nufc.co.uk. “We should have been more than one goal ahead at half time if I’m being honest, but we were thankful for Rob (Elliot)’s save – he made an unbelievable save in the first half and kept it at 1-0.

“If you look at the goal we nearly scored in the first half, with big Tom (Heardman) on the end of Adam (Wilson)’s pass from Cal, that’s the sort of football we like.

“But on the balance of play, it should have been maybe two or 3-1 if Rob doesn’t make that save. Overall, we’re pleased and it keep the run going and that’s the bottom line really – it’s game-to-game for us now.”

Goalkeeper Elliot, who played the full 90 minutes as he continues his comeback from injury, made a stunning stop to deny Connor Tighe in the first half, tipping his header away.

And Beardsley also reserved praise for defensive duo Curtis Good and Stuart Findlay, who dealt well with the Seagulls’ sporadic threat.

“To be fair to Brighton stepped up a gear, stepped up into our half and played a lot further forward, and they caused us a few problems,” he said.

“The pleasing thing was that in the past, we would possibly have lost a game like that, but Curtis, Stuart and Rob as a three marshalled us from the back and helped us get through it.

“Defenders thrive on clean sheets, and Ben (Dawson, professional development phase coach) said to them at the end that those two were outstanding, and Rob’s always been outstanding for us.”

A couple of the players who were involved for the second string on Saturday could also line up for Dave Watson’s under-18 side in the FA Youth Cup tie against Swansea City at St. James’ Park on Monday night (7pm kick-off).

Wilson, who filled in again at full back at the weekend, and goalkeeper Nathan Harker are both eligible.

Beardsley is hoping that positive atmosphere around the club is reflected with a cup victory under the lights on Monday.

“It’s a shame Callum Williams got injured, but we had a good balance to the side. Young Adam Wilson did well again, so that’s good for him and Nathan, who was on the bench, could play for the youth team on Monday, so that’s good for him to look forward to.

“The club’s buzzing – we just hope that they can win on Monday.”