The sparse crowd that braved cold and damp conditions at Whitley Park on Monday afternoon saw a Magpies side including both rookies and senior players frustrated by a Baggies lineup who are now unbeaten in 14 games.

With one eye on possible changes for this Saturday's Premier League visit to Crystal Palace, United included a quartet of players who began the Leicester defeat on the bench in addition to giving Karl Darlow a runout.

Tipped for a central midfield berth with Cheick Tiote and Jack Colback both sidelined, Yoan Gouffran played 90 minutes in that role. Siem De Jong meanwhile completed a second successive reserve game in a more offensive position and there were full games for right back Jamie Sterry and central defender Jamaal Lascelles. 

By contrast, ten goals in as many starts for the U18s saw Lewis McNall handed a competitive debut at this level and fellow 16 year old Owen Gallacher (son of ex-Mag John) was blooded as a second half substitute. 

Chances at both ends in the opening moments hinted at an entertaining encounter, but after Darlow denied Samir Nabi in the first minute and De Jong volleyed at Alex Palmer shortly after, goal action was in short supply. 

Newcastle dominated possession but a lack of quality in the final third let them down, McNall denied by Palmer when he had sight of goal on 26 and 45 minutes.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the home side seeing most of the ball but struggling with service into the box and decidedly shot shy. 

With seven minutes remaining, the lively Gallacher looked poised to break the deadlock when United broke upfield at pace, only for his shot to lack power and be smothered by Palmer. 

And the visitors almost snatched all three points in the closing stages, Lascelles making a vital intervention in his own area to dispossess Tahvon Campbell.

Whether there's a place for De Jong against Palace remains to be seen, but Gouffran seems set for his second Premier League start of the season.

PS: the U21 debuts of messrs Gouffran, McNall and Gallacher increased the number of players deployed at this level to 34 in nine league games this season

PPS: for anyone still awake, this was our first 0-0 draw at reserve level since April 2014, when Manchester City's visit to Whitley Park resulted in a nowts apiece scoreline.

Biffa