The Magpies won the competition for the first time in four years after seeing off Morpeth Town at St. James’ Park in May, having previously overcome Newcastle Benfield and another side from Blyth, the now defunct Blyth AFC.

This year, they again enter at the quarter-final stage, and have been handed a home draw against National League North outfit Spartans – the highest-ranked side they can face.

Alun Armstrong’s troops have yet to really get going this term, though they did pick up a morale-boosting victory over Nantwich Town in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

“If you want to win the competition, you have to beat the best teams – regardless of what stage it’s at,” the Magpies’ Under-23s’ coach, Ben Dawson, told nufc.co.uk. “I know Alun well, and he’s got them playing some decent football. They’ve had a little bit of a turnaround in players over the summer but they had a great result midweek in the FA Cup – in which Jamie Holmes was playing, who used to be here.

“We’ll be making as big an effort as possible to make sure we retain the trophy. It’s a different experience to what the lads get week in, week out in the league, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Confirmation of a date for the tie will be announced in due course. It will be played no later than Saturday, 26th January.