18 mins Gelhardt penalty 0-1

30 mins Cresswell header 0-2

43 mins Atsu shot 1-2

Half time: Leeds 2 NUFC 1

Full time: Leeds 2 NUFC 1

Newcastle's U23 side went down by the odd goal in three to Leeds at their Thorp Arch training ground on Monday.

26 points divided the sides before the first whistle, with the table-topping hosts closing in on the title and promotion and the visitors rock bottom.

An ill-advised barge by Oisin McEntee on home striker Joe Gelhardt won an 18th minute penalty that he himself put away - and his corner on the half hour was headed in by Charlie Cresswell for 0-2.

The Magpies reduced the arrears in the 43rd minute when Tom Allan forced his way to the left byline and pulled the ball back for Atsu to poke home.

Perhaps mindful of having turned a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 loss on Tyneside last November, Leeds made a trio of half time changes and sat back for much of the second period.

Failing to create any clear-cut chances, Newcastle turned to Jack White and Stan Flaherty after an hour; White soon forcing a save from Elia Caprile.

Elliot Anderson then created chances to shoot from inside the box on 74 and 77 minutes, but Caprile blocked both.

A free kick into the Leeds area did see Caprile juggle the ball when challenged by Ludwig Francillette, but the visitors failed to find what would have been a deserved equaliser as Leeds successfully ran the clock down.

Playing his second U23 game since returning to the senior squad, Atsu scored but did little else to suggest he'll be gracing the Premier League any time soon - or is particularly bothered by that.

Matty Longstaff meanwhile dropped out of the side that drew at the mackems last week, but it remains to be seen whether that heralds a return to the senior squad for Saturday's visit to Brighton.