Newcastle reserves concluded their season on Monday night with a defeat that left them sixth in their twelve team league and ten points short of a promotion spot.

Adam Armstrong, Rolando Aarons and Olivier Kemen all dropped out of the side that beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 last week, but there was a first competitive start at this level for Academy top scorer Sean Longstaff.  

Following a low key opening at The Hawthorns, the Baggies took a 25th minute lead when Tyler Roberts latched on to a lobbed ball over the United defence before firing it between Brendan Pearson's legs.

Six minutes later the grey-clad Magpies were level, as Facundo Ferreyra laid a ball off to Callum Roberts. He took a touch before notching his fourth league goal of the season thanks to an unstoppable strike into the corner that left goalkeeper Alex Palmer rooted to the spot.

The second half proved to be equally barren in term of scoring chances, with Albion's Roberts crowded out in the area after 49 minutes and denied by Pearson soon after.

Liam Smith came close with a 72nd minute free kick for the Magpies, but like first half dead ball attempts from Jamie Sterry and Barlaser it failed to hit the target.

Palmer was called into action to block a Roberts shot with nine minutes remaining, before Jamie Cobain's attempt was deflected wide seconds later. Defender Cobain had just come on for his U21 debut along with Jack Hunter.

The home side retook the lead with five minutes to play when Jonathan Leko set up substitute Tavhon Campbell to finish well and although Callum Roberts was denied seconds later, Campbell promptly raced away to make it 3-1 to Albion on 87 minutes.

United finally made one of their free kick chances count when Dan Barlaser drove home in the first minute of added time, but Albion held out to triumph by the odd goal in five.

NB: Newcastle's Adam Campbell appeared for Albion on trial in their previous two U21 games, but didn't feature tonight.