Peter praises Murphy impact

Murphy headed United in front against West Bromwich Albion at Whitley Park, as the 33-year-old marked his return from injury with a goal.

He was joined in the starting line-up at Whitley Park by fellow first teamers Massadio Haidara and Achraf Lazaar, who both played the full 90 minutes.

And Beardsley spoke highly of the three senior players' influence, with former Ipswich Town frontman Murphy turning in a classy display before he was withdrawn at half time.

"I think we played really well in the first half. Daryl Murphy scored a brilliant goal, and for him to get across the near post like that was good for our kids to see and a good experience for him," he told nufc.co.uk after Murphy had nodded in Haidara's cross just before the break.

"You can't teach what he does. It was great to have him playing for us, but the plan was for him to play 45 minutes, which was perfect for him.

"It's always nice to have them, and it was good for them to be there. It was a big plus for us."

The young Magpies had the upper hand for much of the game, but they were denied their fourth straight victory by Jack Fitzwater's late penalty, which rescued a point for the Baggies.

The weather conditions deteriorated in the second half of the game, with driving rain affecting the playing surface and the contest becoming a scrappier affair.

And Beardsley said that it was a disappointed United changing room after the draw, which saw his side climb to sixth in the Premier League 2 Division Two table despite Fitzwater's 84^th-minute leveller.

"That's the real world, and that's what happens. You never know when the rain's coming or the cold's coming, and you have to get used to it and be ready for it, especially in Newcastle," he said of the conditions. "The pitch played well - it's just disappointing that you don't win when you've dominated for so long.

"When we were winning as comfortably as we were - there was only the one save Freddie had to make - we never really looked under pressure. It was a mistake from us, in allowing the boy to buy a penalty, and that's probably the best way to describe it.

"Overall, we were the better team, but ultimately you have to take your chances when they come along. That's where the first team have shown us the way - they were very clinical at Leeds, and Dwight Gayle got two goals, the first one out of nothing and the second one kills the game.

"If we got the second one, we'd have killed the game, but we didn't.

"They're disappointed, but they're still unbeaten. They're on a four-match run, which is a good habit for the club to have, and long may it continue."