Newcastle midfielder Mark Doninger hit a terrific second half equaliser as Lee Clark’s reserve side began the new season with a draw at the Stadium of Light.

The Magpies took the lead early on in the first half through a Jonny Godsmark effort, however a Gavin Donoghue header pulled Sunderland level just before half time.

The Black Cats started the second half well and went in front after Jamie Chandler finished from close range but Doninger’s superb right foot volley from 25 yards earned United a point in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season.

Wearing their blue change kit, Newcastle fielded a youthful reserve side, with only Pattison, Edgar and Huntington having featured competitively for the first team.

An estimated 300 Newcastle supporters made the short trip to Wearside for the match and were in good voice throughout.

New Sunderland signing Ian Harte was initially named in the starting line up for the home side, however the former Leeds man was forced to watch from the stands after he failed to recieve international clearence in time for the match.

Both sides had chances early on in game, Doninger shot over for Newcastle while Sunderland’s David Dowson should have done better with a header from Michael Kay’s cross.

But it was United who struck first with 11 minutes on the clock as Frank Wiafe Danquah fed Jonny Godsmark and the pacy forward turned his man before curling a left-foot shot from the edge of the area into the top left corner.

Sunderland threatened sporadically until their equaliser finally came on the half hour. Graham Kavanagh played in Roy O’Donovan and the summer signing from Cork fired in a shot which Toon keeper Fraser Forster tipped over brilliantly.

Billy Dennehy swung in the resultant corner and defender Gavin Donoghue arrived unmarked from the back to power a header past Forster and level the scores at 1-1.

The second half began with the home side on the front foot and they took the lead for the first time on the night just two minutes after the re-start.

O’Donovan broke into the Newcastle box down the right and while Forster did well to parry the Irishman’s low drive, Jamie Chandler was on hand to finish off the rebound.

Three minutes later it was almost 3-1 to the home side as David Dowson broke free and shot just wide of Forster’s left hand post.

A looping free kick from Matty Pattison almost caught out Sunderland ’keeper Trevor Carson but the ball dropped just wide of the far post as United searched for an equaliser.

However Lee Clark’s men were soon level through a goal of real quality from youngster Doninger.

Left back Darren Lough got down the wing and his cross was met first time by Doninger who, from 25 yards, unleashed a tremendous right foot volley that bounced once and nestled in the bottom left corner with Carson completely beaten.

United had a late chance to win it when another Pattison free kick was met at the back post by Danquah however the young Dutchman headed over from eight yards.

Sunderland: Carson; Kay (Richardson, 45), Hartley, Donoghue, Liddle; Weir, Chandler, Kavanagh, Dennehy; Dowson (Waghorn, 75), O’Donovan.

Subs not used: Luscombe, Henderson.

Goals: Donoghue 30, Chandler 47.

Newcastle: Forster; Bertram (Francis, 64), Huntington, Edgar, Lough; Troisi, Doninger, Pattison, Lua Lua (Marwood, 60); Godsmark, Danquah.

Subs not used: Cook, Morris, Ferguson.

Goals: Godsmark 11, Doninger 67.

Referee: Richard West.

Attendence: 3271.

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