In the absence of a competitive fixture this week, Newcastle's U21s travelled to Northern League side Bedlington Terriers for a friendly on Tuesday night.

A crowd of just 121 at Welfare Park witnessed a grey-clad United side including fringe players Gael Bigirimana and Adam Campbell - the latter following a recent loan spell at League Two Hartlepool United.

The Magpies went ahead on five minutes when Campbell fed Jamie Holmes and his angled shot eluded the Terriers goalkeeper Dan Staples before being helped into the net by Scott Blandford for what looked like an own goal.

Barely 90 seconds later though the hosts replied through striker Lee Scott to bring the scores level at 1-1.

A cut back from Holmes then presented Jonathyn Quinn with a shooting chance, but the United forward fired narrowly off target. Holmes again was to the fore on sixteen minutes, rounding Staples. However the young Magpie was slightly off-balance and put his effort wide. 

Having scored no less than 17 times in their last two league outings, Bedlington almost went ahead midway through the first half through Scott Blandford - only for United defender Ben Pollock to block on the goal line.  

Dylan Williamson then twice tested visiting goalkeeper Brendan Pearson with decent efforts before Newcastle regained the lead on 31 minutes.

A crossfield ball from Macaulay Gillesphey found Quinn and he in turn picked out the advancing Holmes, who fired his shot high into the net from just inside the area.  French prospect Olivier Kemen then tried a pile driver from fully 30 yards that smacked off the Terriers crossbar before the half time whistle sounded.

With rain starting to fall the second period got underway and Bedlington threatened further through the lively Williamson, who was foiled once again by Pearson.  

Jordan Nellis then missed the target with a shot but made no mistake soon after when a corner was only partially cleared, finding the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards to make it 2-2 in the 64th minute.

And the home side went in front for the first time match with 19 minutes to play, substitute Stephen Young netting with a low shot in what was by now a downpour.

United levelled on 80 minutes when Quinn headed in a right wing centre from Kemen, seconds after Bedlington had introduced Luc Glasper, their third 'keeper of the night. Also on the field for the home side by then was former Magpie reserve, Ryan McGorrigan.

Campbell had a chance to regain the lead for United after a hopeful forward ball left him with a clear run on goal, only to drag his effort badly wide. And a deserved draw was the outcome, after Kemen's free kick was turned round the post by Glasper and Quinn saw his stoppage time header saved.

Thanks to GW