All 22 players on the pitch were forced to take at least one spot-kick, including goalkeepers Nathan Harker and Kyle Hayes, who both converted.

However, after United skipper Jack Hunter saw his second attempt kept out by Hayes, Gary Ormston held his nerve to send the holders through to another final – where they will face either Blyth Spartans or Blyth Town.

Almost two and a half hours earlier, the Robins had drawn first blood just minutes into the tie.

Harker dropped a corner from the right straight at the feet of forward Ryan Carr, who duly prodded home to get the home side off to a flyer.

Lee Mason then forced Harker into a low stop from 12 yards, before Craig McFarlane sent the follow-up wide.

Haris Vuckic perhaps ought to have restored parity just shy of the half-hour mark. The Slovenian did well to jink past Hayes after latching onto a searching ball, but – rather than take aim – he opted to check back inside, allowing the ‘keeper the chance to recover.

But, after Mason twice went close for North Shields late in the first half, Vuckic atoned for his miss early into the second.

The former Bradford City loanee collected Dan Barlaser’s pass 12 yards out, and superbly guided the ball into the far corner on the turn.

The Magpies began to enjoy more and more of the ball in the hosts’ half, but either their final ball or their finishing touch went wanting when it really mattered.

When they did manage to get a shot away, Hayes was largely untroubled, his only real save of note in the remainder of normal time coming in the 89^th minute, when he got both hands to Barlaser’s 18-yard effort.

Newcastle continued to look the more threatening as extra time began. Yasin Ben El-Mhanni drew a fine save from Hayes from distance, before substitute Lewis McNall saw a close-range strike blocked.

With penalties looming, only a fine sliding challenge from Curtis Good denied the Robins’ Gareth Bainbridge a sight of goal.

And so, the lottery began. After six successful attempts, McNall’s miss opened the door for the hosts, only for Harker to deny full-back Jack Donnison.

Jordan Summerly then had the chance to win it for Jon McDonald’s side after Victor Fernandez cleared the crossbar, but Harker again produced the goods.

However, the Robins took full advantage of their next opportunity. Hunter’s right-footed strike was parried by Hayes, allowing Ormston to step up, power home, and prompt a pitch invasion at the Daren Persson Stadium.

North Shields: Kyle Hayes, Jack Donnison, Marc Lancaster (Jordan Summerly 75), Adam Forester (Michael McKeown 88), Curtis Coppen, Kevin Hughes, Craig McFarlane, Gary Ormston, Ryan Carr, Lee Mason (Gareth Bainbridge 57) Dean Holmes.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Nathan Harker, Callum Williams, Curtis Good, Stuart Findlay, Liam Gibson (Owen Bailey 53), Jack Hunter, Dan Barlaser, Jamie Holmes (Victor Hernandez 98), Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, Dan Ward (Lewis McNall 74), Haris Vuckic.

Referee: Dean Hulme

Bookings: North Shields – Jack Donnison (115), Kyle Hayes (120); Newcastle United Under-23s – Yasin Ben El-Mhanni (40).