Newcastle beat Fulham in play-off tie

Premier League 2

First-team manager Rafael Benitez watches Magpies claim Division 2 semi-final victory at St James' Park

Newcastle United scored twice in the first half to reach the Division 2 promotion play-off final with a 2-0 semi-final win over Fulham at St James' Park.

The Magpies, who finished four points and one place above the Cottagers in the final table, took a sixth-minute lead through Jamie Holmes before Stuart Findlay headed in the second from a 35th-minute corner.

Newcastle, with first-team manager Rafael Benitez watching on, had to weather considerable Fulham pressure in the second half but goalkeeper Matz Sels preserved their lead with saves from Elijah Adebayo and George Williams, who had another effort cleared off the line.

The Magpies will now host West Ham United in the final after their late 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the other semi-final.

See: Newcastle reportFulham report