It seems likely that Tommy Craig will become Glenn Roeder's right-hand man next week, but he left the reserve team job with a cup.
United edged out Blyth Spartans to win the Northumberland Senior Cup on Wednesday night.
Alan O'Brien scored twice past former Newcastle United 'keeper Craig Turns to win the match.
Another ex-Magpie, Jamie McClen, put the non-Leaguers in front in the 18th minute when he fired home from the edge of the area.
O'Brien touched in Carl Finnigan's low cross on 40 mins. And Blyth almost restored the advantage a minute before the break when Liam Gildea hit the post from close range.
But 6 minutes from time O'Brien made for goal and as the 'keeper came out he slipped it to Martin Brittain who shot but saw it blocked. The ball ran loose to O'Brien, following up, who ran it into the empty net.