United, who had been beaten only once in their previous six outings going into the game at Boro's Hurworth Academy, fell behind midway through the first half when Ellis Stanton was adjudged to have brought down Fenton John in the box. The hosts' midfielder picked himself up to dispatch the spot kick, beating Steven Bessant in the Magpies' goal.

It took until the final 20 minutes for Newcastle to draw level, and it was Kyle Crossley who grabbed their equaliser. The speedy winger's skill took him round the goalkeeper and he kept his composure to finish under pressure with 71 minutes on the clock.

But it wasn't to be for Peter Ramage's youngsters, who were beaten by Whelan's header with just a minute remaining, leaving United two points shy of second-bottom Stoke City in the Under-18 Premier League's northern section.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Steven Bessent, Callum McNally, Harry Powell, Ellis Stanton, Joel Green, Jamie Miley, James Huntley, Lucas Cooper (Liam Chrystal 32), Lewis Miley, Johnny Emerson (Rory Powell 61), Kyle Crossley.

Subs not used: Piotr Banda, Dylan Charlton, Shaun Mavididi.