Newcastle's U21 side won a seven-goal thriller at The Hawthorns on Monday afternoon, recovering from a half time deficit to claim all three points for only the second time this season.

United took the lead after eight minutes when Bigirimana's thumping 30-yard effort flew in via the underside of the crossbar only for Albion to level five minutes later when striker Alex Jones tucked the ball in at the far post.

A minute later the Baggies were in front when slack defending allowed Mani O'Sullivan to side-foot in after Jones had laid the ball back from Kemar Roofe's cross. It was all square after 25 minutes though when Vuckic was slotted through and he finished expertly, sweeping the ball past Jack Rose in the Albion goal.

More poor work at the back from United allowed another Roofe cross to make it to the back stick for Morgan Ferrier to lash the ball past Jak Alnwick, giving the home side a slender advantage at half-time.

Rolando Aarons almost equalised at the start of the second period but his left-footed effort slid wide. The winger then made way for fellow Academy youngster Callum Roberts and it was the substitute who was fouled on the edge of the box, Vuckic to stroking the free kick ball over the wall to make it 3-3, after 75 minutes.

Vuckic then got away down the United left to centre for Adam Armstrong to maintain his remarkable scoring record at this level, an 82nd minute strike from close range his fifth goal in his first five game at this level.