NILE RANGER bagged a brace for Newcastle United reserves against Liverpool last night.

United fielded a team sprinkled with fringe starlets including Ranger, Sammy Ameobi, Michael Richardson, Greg McDermott and Remi Streete.

Haris Vuckic made his comeback for United after damaging his hand playing in the first team against Fulham in August.

United had a great chance to open the scores when Richardson was fouled by Andre Wisdom in the box. But Ranger’s spot-kick was pushed away by Tyrell Belford who saved to his right.

On 18 minutes Ranger headed against the post from a right-wing Vuckic cross. However, on 31 minutes Raheem Sterling curled home for the visitors in the penalty area after Adam Morgan’s blistering run and measured pass.

United were level on 48 minutes when Brad Inman prodded a cross from the left and Ranger made amends for his penalty miss when he tapped in.

On 53 minutes Shane Ferguson crossed from the left and Ranger guided home a back post header to put United ahead.

Ranger was involved again three minutes later when he rolled it to Richardson who let fly from 25 yards to make it 3-1.

Liverpool pulled one back with 20 minutes to go after Michael Roberts hit a long-range effort beyond Rob Elliot.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Elliot, Richardson, Ferguson, McDermott (Folan 46), Streete, Kadar, Inman, Abeid, Ranger, Vuckic, Sam Ameobi