Premiership fixtures against Wolves and Southampton, played 90 minutes

of United Reserves' defeat at Scunthorpe.

With Jonathan Woodgate out for the season, the pair are on red alert

as Sir Bobby Robson is down to the bare bones in defence after Andy

O'Brien was handed a two-game ban for his second sending-off of the

season.

But last night, Taylor, an England Under-21 international, put the

ball into his own net in the 70th minute to hand Scunthorpe a 2-1

victory in the Magpies' penultimate Pontin's Holiday League game of

the season.

A youthful Newcastle had gone a goal down after 15 minutes, with Paul

Hayes beating visiting goalkeeper Adam Bartlett at the second attempt.

Seven minutes later, Bradley Orr replaced Jamie McClen in midfield but

United could not find a way back against a well-organised Scunthorpe

before the break.

But Newcastle were better after half-time and levelled on the

half-hour through Orr, who made no mistake with a header from an Alan

O'Brien cross, having put an earlier chance wide.

But Taylor diverted a right-wing cross past Bartlett with 20 minutes

left on the clock, and this time United could not find a way back.

Newcastle's final Pontin's League game is against York at Whitley Park

next Wednesday (2.00), while the last Premiership Reserve League match

sees United entertain Sunderland at St James' Park on Thursday, May 13

(7.00).

NEWCASTLE: Bartlett, Brennan (Gate, 84), Elliott, Ramage, Taylor,

Ferrell (Offiong, 84), Brittain, McClen (Orr, 22), Guy, Chopra, Alan

O'Brien. Subs not used: Smith, Bates.