Beaten in their opening league game by Wolves, United registered their first point of the season at Whitley Park on Monday in what was a low-key encounter until the closing moments produced some goalmouth action.

Peter Beardsley's side had only created one serious chance - a shot from home debutant Ivan Toney - before they were forced into a 21st minute change following an injury to Adam Laidler.

There seemed no malice in a challenge that left the youngster flat out on the turf but after treatment on the sidelines he was unable to continue and Jamie Sterry came off the bench to replace him.

Within 90 seconds though Rovers benefited from a loss of concentration by United, striker Anton Forrester left with an easy finish from a low right wing cross.

Struggling to gain any momentum and easily kept at bay by the visitors, the first decent move by Newcastle led to an equaliser five minutes before the break.

Kyle Cameron and Liam Smith exchanged passes down the left before the latter centred for substitute Sterry to head home his first-ever U21 goal from close range.

Following the interval things were little different, with neither side able to dominate proceedings - although United were grateful for Gael Bigirimana's timely block inside the six yard area just before the hour mark.

There was a lively finale to an unremarkable game, with Toney astutely threading a ball across the box that Sterry couldn't convert as he arrived at the far post. 

The former Northampton striker then stung the palms of Simon Eastwood with a dipping effort from 25 yards, before pulling off an ever better save to deny Smith after 87 minutes - rescuing his side again with a point-blank block following the resultant corner.

Following press claims that he's been advised to find another club, there was no sign of Haris Vuckic while Olivier Kemen also dropped out of last week's starting eleven - reason unknown.

Biffa