Half time: United 0 City 0

Full time: United 0 City 0

It finished scoreless at Whitley Park on Monday night as a rare clean sheet from Newcastle's second string reserves gained a point from their Manchester City counterparts.

After a first half hour that was almost totally devoid of action, United belatedly stirred themselves and Michael Richardson's attempted lob was just wide on 33 minutes. Fellow forward Jonathyn Quinn wasn't too far away with a curling effort two minutes later before the visitors roused themselves and home 'keeper Jonathan Mitchell dived full length to keep out Sinan Bytyqi's header.

What proved to be United's best opportunity of the night then came three minutes before the half time interval, as Dan Barlaser's flighted ball across the box fell for Greg Olley, who smacked a first -time shot against the crossbar.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half were equally drab before substitute Liam Gibson collected a miscued Olley pass and drove towards the City goal, bringing a save from Ian Lawlor with his powerful shot. Making a trio of changes, the visitors gained the initiative towards the closing stages and Mitchell did well to turn away Olivier Ntcham's 78th minute rocket.

The Magpies custodian then made a trio of late blocks to maintain his clean sheet, Devante Cole (son of SJP old boy Andy) hitting a post in the final seconds as Patrick Vieira's lads made a concerted effort to take the points. 

However a rearguard action meant that it remained 0-0 - Newcastle becoming only the second side this season to prevent City finding the net in U21 League matches.

Sadly, there was precious little to write home about at the other end. Any frustrated first team fans present hoping to see this Toon side trouble the scorer will have felt a certain sense of deja vu.

With basement side Blackburn Rovers having completed their fixture programme, Newcastle have at least avoided the ignominy of finishing bottom, but a likely final place of 21st out of 22 clubs (five of which don't have senior sides in this season's Premier League) is hardly encouraging.   

Biffa