Second half goals from Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Haris Vuckic saw Newcastle United get off to a winning start against Carlisle in their first pre season game.

However a dampener was put on the victory towards the end of the game as defender Steven Taylor was forced off in the final ten minutes clutching his wrist.

7,412 turned out at Brunton Park as Newcastle manager Chris Hughton named a strong starting line up including Alan Smith as captain in midfield partnered with Kevin Nolan.

Surpisignly it was Carlise who started the better out of the two teams with two good chances in the first-half and the Magpies failing to work Carlisle keeper Adam Collin once before the break.

Ian Harte had the first chance for Carlisle after directing Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s corner with a header towards the far corner only for Jose Enrique to clear the ball with the aid of the underside of the bar.

Tom Taiwo then released Gary Madine whose lob beat both Steve Harper, but also the target, landing on the roof of the net.

Peter Lovenkrands had the best opportunity of the first half for Newcastle with a goal-bound strike that was cleared easily by Paul Thirlwell.

Chris Hughton made eleven changes at half time, introducing the likes of Joey Barton, Taylor and new signing James Perch.

The changes clearly had the desired impact as Leon Best broke the deadlock just two minutes after the interval by rounding keeper Collin and rolling the ball into the net.

Newcastle were by far the better team in the second half and saw Nile Ranger waste a golden opportunity to double the lead after breaking down the left only to see his show saved by the legs of Collin.

Ranger soon made up for the missed chance a minute later though, turning in Routledge’s cross at the near post after a great run down the right from the former Crystal Palace winger.

Newcastle rounded off the victory with a third with just over 15 minutes left with youngster Vuckic turning sharply in the box before producing a fine finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle Starting XI: Harper, Tavernier, Enrique, Williamson, Coloccini, Smith, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Carroll, LuaLua, Inman