United's U21 side extended a winless run from the start of this season to five games on Monday afternoon, in what was a mundane affair at a sunny Whitley Park.

A scoreless first half was mostly notable for the first appearance of Sylvain Marveaux in a Newcastle shirt since March 2014 - the winger completing 45 minutes as he recovers from a hernia operation.

And Marveaux was involved in the only real moment of danger from United, teeing up Ivan Toney to smash a low centre across the six yard box on the half hour that nobody was able to latch on to. 

United were forced into an early change when Academy full back Gideon Adu-Peprah left the field through injury, while Toney and Raheem Hanley were both cautioned after a flare-up that had stemmed from an earlier foul by the visiting full back on the Magpies forward. 

Winning three of their five games to date, the visitors should have gone in ahead when striker Oliver McBurnie had clear sight of goal but could only weakly poke his shot towards a grateful Rob Elliot.

Peter Beardsley's side upped their game after the break and Toney forced City goalkeeper Josh Vickers into a routine stop within 10 seconds of the restart. 

Further efforts from Dan Barlaser and Toney followed as United enjoyed a period of possession that culminated in them taking the lead after 62 minutes.

A good ball through by Gael Bigirimana found Toney and he advanced on goal before unhurriedly chipping the 'keeper for his second goal in successive U21 games.

However, just two minutes later substitute Liam Gibson tripped Liam Shephard in the box and McBurnie sent Rob Elliot the wrong way from the spot for his sixth goal in five U21 games since arriving from Bradford City.

Despite almost six minutes of added time, neither side seriously threatened to grab a winning goal in front of a crowd that included Steve McClaren and Lee Charnley.

United welcomed back Jamie Sterry from injury and saw Gibson play the second game of his comeback, but Tom Heardman, Lubo Satka, Liam Smith and Adam Laidler all remain sidelined while Callum Roberts wasn't involved after having marked his return with a goal last week. 

With no league game until October 16th (Fulham away), Beardsley spoke post-match of arranging some friendly matches against local opposition in the coming weeks.

Biffa