Only goal difference now keeps the Lady Magpies off top spot, but United were made to work for the win by the Teessiders, with captain Grace Donnelly thoroughly earning her third clean sheet of the campaign.

It was Norton's first defeat of the season and came thanks to substitute Dobson's goal in the 69th minute, when the midfielder headed home Georgia Gibson's dangerous delivery from a corner.

Becky Langley handed a debut to Charlotte Potts, who was given clearance to play on the eve of the game after joining from Canadian side Calgary Foothill, and the childhood Newcastle fan slotted seamlessly into the United backline as the visitors began on the front foot.

Lauren Robson hit the side-netting from a tight angle before an amazing 16th-minute goalmouth scramble which saw Katie Barker and Kacie Elson both denied from close range and Barker and Gibson also thwarted before Norton scrambled the ball away.

But Donnelly then made two important saves - the first to push away a Bianca Owens free kick, the second a brilliant block with her legs when Nyci Thorns went through one-on-one with the Newcastle netminder.

Barker - United's top scorer last season who got her first of the current campaign at Lincoln City Women last weekend - saw a weak shot easily saved by Rachel Chisnall before, a couple of minutes later, the home goalkeeper made a much more impressive stop from the number nine following a great move involving Gillian Oyos and Beth Guy.

At the beginning of the second half, Donnelly made arguably the best save of the match, somehow getting a hand to Owens' free kick as it looked destined for the top corner. 

And that became all the more crucial when, midway through the half, Dobson rose highest to put her side ahead. Gibson had already sent over two successive flag-kicks which caused problems for Norton and it was a case of third time lucky as Dobson got the finishing touch to find a breakthrough.

Newcastle could have added a second to ease their nerves, with Barker shooting narrowly wide, substitute Becky Ferguson seeing a piledriver pushed over by Chisnall and Potts heading off target from another Gibson corner, but Dobson's goal was enough to seal the win on the same afternoon as Barnsley Women were beaten by Stockport County Ladies.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Daisy Burt, Freya Bailes, Charlotte Potts, Keira Skelton, Lauren Robson (Lois Greenslade 66), Beth Guy, Gillian Oyos (Ellie Dobson 55), Kacie Elson (Becky Ferguson 46), Georgia Gibson, Katie Barker

Subs not used: Frankie Hackett, Emma Wallis

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC