A 75th equaliser from left-back Darren Lough earned Newcastle's second string a 1-1 draw from their friendly against Gateshead at the International Stadium last night.

Graeme Armstrong had given Ian Bogie's side a first-half lead, and for much of the game, the Conference North side made life difficult for Sadler's inexperienced side.

Sadler said: "It was a good Gateshead side, and they were well organised, so credit to Ian Bogie and (his assistant) Jeff Wrightson for that.

"In terms our work ethic and fighting spirit, again the lads put in a real shift.

"I don't think, though, that there's any doubt we need to be better with the ball. We're looking for quality on the ball.

"We forced our passes and gave it away within one or two passes. We'd expect the lads to be better.

"I'd like to see a bit more adventure and creativity around opposing penalty areas, but what we did get was a real honest performance from the lads."

United's reserves wrap up their pre-season with a fixture against Newcastle Blue Star on July 12.

United reserves: Forster, Morris, Lough, Bath, Grieve, Tozer, Danquah, Doninger, Godsmark, Neary, McLaughlin. Subs not used: Taylor, Wrightson, Ferguson, Bell, Soderberg.