6 mins: Low header. 0-1

16 mins: Bell shot. 0-2

33 mins: Bell shot. 0-3

Half time: Robins 3 Magpies 0

49 mins: Bell shot. 0-4

Full time: Robins 4 Magpies 0

The Magpies progressed from their group in this competition last season, but were then knocked out by Fulham in the round of 16.

The other two teams in Group E met at Bramall Lane on Monday night, Crystal Palace defeating Sheffield United 2-1.

Monday saw United's U21 side begin this season's Premier League Cup campaign with their heaviest defeat in that competition since it altered to a group stage format back in 2016.

Elliott Dickman's side were inferior in all departments to the Robins, who play in the Professional Development League - one step below Newcastle.

Making their maiden visit to City's Failand training centre, United fell behind when home Captain Joe Low headed in a sixth minute corner.

City forwards Sam Bell and Sam Pearson then combined their side's lead ten just minutes later, Bell rolling the ball into an empty net.

Things got even worse for United just after the half hour, when Pearson's initial shot was blocked by Matty Bondswell but Bell followed up to net the rebound.

It took only four minutes of the second half for City to extend their lead further, Bell completing his treble after taking a pass from Pearson and shooting across Will Brown to make it 0-4.

A rare passage of play featuring Robins custodian Jose Casa-Grande in the 52nd minute saw Joe White with our first shot on target; substitute Isaac Westendorf then thwarted as he sought to prod home the rebound.

Visiting goalkeeper Will Brown pulled off a decent stop late on to prevent Zac Bell from adding a fifth, but nothing more than a marginal improvement was evident from a rejigged Magpies side after the break.

Many thanks to GW.