Half time: Railwaymen 0 Magpies 0

65 mins Pickering shot. 0-1

Full time: Railwaymen 1 Magpies 0

Newcastle's second string slipped to their sixth successive defeat in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night - although giving an improved performance against the League One Railwaymen at Gresty Road.

Goalkeeper Will Brown had conceded two early goals in last week's 0-3 reverse at Shrewsbury, but a handful of decent blocks and some good work from the defence saw his side reach half time unscathed here.

However the hosts did take a 65th minute lead, when stand-in full back Rosaire Longelo fouled Josh Lundstram on the Crewe right and was penalised by the award of a free kick.

That was sent goalwards from distance by half time substitute Harry Pickering and eluded Brown, amid claims that he'd been fouled by an opponent.

Looking for an equaliser to take the tie to a penalty shootout, United replaced birthday boy Yannick Toure with fellow striker Elias Sorensen - the latter making a first appearance of the season.

And although the Dane found good shooting positions on three occasions, he could only direct one of his efforts on target - which was easily dealt with.

Chris Hogg's side now face an almost impossible task to advance from the group stages, their third and final tie at Bolton Wanderers in November.  

Crewe top the group with six points from two games, with Shrewsbury second after winning their only game and Bolton pointless after one outing but ahead of Newcastle on goal difference.

Shrewsbury return to action on Tuesday week (October 6th) when hosting Bolton -with victory for Town enough to eliminate the Magpies, who wouldn't then be able to finish in the required top two places.

NUFC - EFL Trophy all time record:

2017/18 Crewe (a) won 2-1
2017/18 Port Vale (a) lost 0-1
2017/18 Oldham (a) lost 1-4
2018/19 Doncaster (a) won 3-1
2018/19 Notts County (a) won 2-0
2018/19 Grimsby (a) won 3-2
2018/19 Macclesfield (h) won 5-3pens
2018/19 mackems (a) lost 0-4
2019/20 Macclesfield (a) lost 1-2
2019/20 Shrewsbury (a) lost 0-3
2019/20 Port Vale (a) lost 1-2
2020/21 Shrewsbury (a) lost 0-3
2020/21 Crewe (a) lost 0-1

Live coverage was again available via the EFL's ifollow streaming service, for £10 per game.

Biffa