SECOND-HALF goals from Jordan Laidler and James Armstrong ensured Sunderland completed an FA Premier Academy League double over rivals Newcastle United.

The win strengthened the Black Cats’ bid to finish top of Academy Group D but left United wondering where their next win will come from.

After a slow start United threatened when Aaron Spear fired over following good work down the right by Ryan McGorrigan.

Joe Joyce’s side, however, were given a warning when Blair Adams fired into the side netting and Laidler shot over the bar.

Lewis King comfortably held on to a Michael Hogansen shot at the other end as an uneventful first half ended goalless.

However, Sunderland made the breakthrough in 53 minutes.

Laidler ran on to Billy Knott’s through ball to shoot past Jak Alnwick, and within three minutes the deficit had been doubled to leave Newcastle on the ropes. Knott was again the architect, threading a ball into the path of the onrushing Armstrong who slid the ball past Alnwick.

United struggled to get back into the game, McGorrigan heading a Dennis Knight corner into the hands of King.

Dan Taylor headed over the bar from Spear’s cross but it was the Black Cats who went close to increasing their lead late in the game.

Knott was just wide with a fine volley from outside the box while Alnwick had to turn a long range Brett Elliott shot onto the top of the bar. Spear put a free kick over the bar with only minutes left but by then Newcastle were well beaten.

NEWCASTLE UTD UNDER-18S: Alnwick, Nicholson, Riley, Sayer, Nzuzi, Streete (Smith 67), McGorrigan (Campbell 60), Knight (Miele 76), Taylor, Spear, Hogansen. Subs (not used): Mitchell, Ions

SUNDERLAND UNDER-18S: King, Marrs, Bagnall, Laing, Adams, Honeyman (Mitchell 76), Gorrin, Armstrong (Elliott 76), Lynch, Knott, Laidler. Subs (not used): Pickford, Watson, Brace