RAFA Benitez’s Newcastle United condemned Southend United to their first pre-season defeat of the summer at Roots Hall tonight.

Second half strikes from Vernon Anita and Yoan Gouffran secured a 2-0 victory for the full strength Magpies in a game disrupted by 18 substitutions during the second half.

Blues fought hard against their Championship opponents – in front of more than 6,500 fans - but they rarely looked like netting until David Mooney was superbly denied by Karl Darlow in the closing stages.

In contrast, Newcastle came close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when midfielder Jonjo Shelvey saw a powerful 25 yard shot impressively tipped over the crossbar by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

Moments later, Oxley – who was appearing at Roots Hall for the first time since joining Blues – easily held a deflected effort from Ayoze Perez.

Southend hit back with trialist centre-back Jakub Sokolik having a header from Ben Coker’s free-kick collected by visiting goalkeeper Darlow.

But Newcastle were soon back on top and came close to opening the scoring in the 31st minute when Dwight Gayle fired wide of the right post from close range.

After surviving the scare, Blues replied with Jack Bridge having a goalbound effort blocked by Rolando Aarons but Newcastle then almost broke the deadlock when Perez superbly beat two men before curling a 20 yard shot inches wide of the right post.

That made sure the game was still goalless at half-time before the Shrimpers made two defensive changes at the break with William Edjenguele and Adam Thompson replacing Adam Barrett and Sokolik at the heart of the back four.

However, the new look defence were beaten three minutes into the second half as Anita took the ball off Will Atkinson before firing home a well struck 25 yard shot.

Blues responded by changing their strike-force as Simon Cox and David Mooney came on for Jason Williams and Ronan Murray in attack before Stephen McLaughlin replaced Bridge out wide.

However, Newcastle still threatened next with Shelvey having a curling effort parried to safety by Oxley.

But the flow of the game was disrupted by a number of substitutions in quick succession which saw both teams freshen up their side.

One of the 18 alterations saw Gouffran enter the action and he doubled Newcastle’s lead in the 77th minute with a low, left footed shot which flew into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

That made sure of victory for the visitors but Blues came close to netting right at the death when Mooney saw his six yard volley superbly tipped over the crossbar by Darlow.

Southend United: Oxley, White (Demetriou 75), Sokolik (Thompson 46), Barrett (Edjenguele 46), Coker (Kyprianou 78), Bridge (McLaughlin 68), Atkinson (Batlokwa 78), Leonard (Bedford 84), McGlashan (O’Neill 75), Williams (Mooney 62), Murray (Cox 62)

Subs not used: T Smith & Wabo

Newcastle United: Darlow, Janmaat (Sterry 62), Mbemba (Hanley 62), Lascelles, Dummett, Anita (Thauvin 79), Hayden (Colback 62), Shelvey (Saivet 73), Aarons (Gouffran 62), Gayle (Armstrong 62), Perez (Mitrovic 73) Subs not used: Sels

Attendance: 6, 570 (1,012 from Newcastle)