1 min James Nolan shot 0-1

3 mins Huntley header 1-1

16 mins Hugill penalty 1-2

Half time: Man U U21s 0 Newcastle U21s 1

50 mins Dylan Stephenson shot 2-2

58 mins Shola Shoretire shot 2-3

Full time: Man U U21s 3 Newcastle U21s 2

The U21s returned to action on Saturday after a three week break, facing Manchester United in a rescheduled PL2 fixture at their Carrington training facility.

Despite twice coming from behind to equalise, Ben Dawson's side were beaten for the first time in five league outings.

James Nolan put the hosts ahead within the first minute only for James Huntley to cancel that out with a close range header just three minutes later.

Former Magpie Jo Hugill then restored Manchester United's advantage from the penalty spot on 16 minutes after Mateo Mejia was fouled in the box.  

They then came close to extending their advantage when Mather's free kick struck the goal frame.

Newcastle levelled five minutes after the restart when Josh Scott advanced down the left flank and crossed for Dylan Stephenson to take a touch and volley in his first goal of the campaign.

However Ben Dawson's side had no response to the home side's third goal of the game on 58 minutes; Mejia reaching the byline on the right hand side of the box and pulling the ball back for Tyneside-born Shola Shoretire to fire past goalkeeper Will Brown.

With one eye on Tuesday's FA Youth Cup meeting with Leyton Orient and no U18 game on Saturday, the Magpies rested a clutch of youngsters who have featured regularly for the U21s this season.