The young Magpies struck twice in the first-half, opening the scoring through Kyle Crossley's strike before Santiago Muñoz's splendid free-kick doubled the visitors' advantage at the Rovers' Academy.

Harley O'Grady-Macken's close-range strike halved the deficit for Rovers shortly after the hour mark before Alex Murphy's stoppage-time header - his first goal for the club since joining from Galway United earlier this month - sealed the victory in Lancashire.

Elliott Dickman handed starts to midfielder Matty Longstaff - who scored on his Premier League debut against Manchester United in October 2019 - and teenage forward Jay Turner-Cooke, who travelled with the Magpies' first-team for their pre-season trip to Austria.

With former Magpies forward Duncan Ferguson in attendance, Newcastle's youngsters began the friendly encounter in bright fashion as Dylan Stephenson's looping strike from the edge of the box struck the top of the crossbar.

Longstaff - who spent last term on loan at Aberdeen and Mansfield Town - struck the woodwork as the North Shields-born midfielder fired a volley off the outside of the far right-hand post after Harry Barclay's cross from the right flank was nodded into the 22-year-old's path.

In the 25th minute, Newcastle took the lead through Crossley as the 17-year-old winger, who signed his first professional contract in July, latched onto a loose ball inside the box before directing a low effort into the left-hand corner.

United's second-string continued their pursuit for a second goal as Matt Bondswell - who spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Shrewsbury Town - combined neatly with Crossley before his low strike was pushed away by the Blackburn goalkeeper. 

In the 35th minute, though, Newcastle extended their advantage through Muñoz's excellent long-range free-kick. After Bondswell was fouled from distance, the Mexican teenager struck a curling effort which flew into the left-hand corner.

Newcastle took a two-goal cushion into the half-time break, although the young Magpies were fortunate after Blackburn defender was deemed offside after firing the ball into the net following a teasing cross from the left wing.

Ahead of the second-half, Dickman made nine changes at the interval before Longstaff was replaced after an hour by Ellis Stanton.

In the 65th minute, Newcastle's hopes of a clean sheet were dashed as O'Grady-Macken completed a dangerous attack for the hosts, firing home from inside the six-yard area. 

The young Magpies netted their third goal of the afternoon in the final stages as Murphy registered his first goal for the club, connecting with Turner-Cooke's inviting free-kick before guiding a header into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle United Under-21s face their Sheffield United counterparts in their next friendly fixture on Wednesday, 27th July at the Magpies' Little Benton Academy (kick-off 1pm BST).  

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson (Will Brown 46), Harry Barclay (Josh Stewart 46), Niall Brookwell (c) (Charlie Wiggett 46), Remi Savage (Alex Murphy 22), Matt Bondswell (Jordan Hackett 46), Matty Longstaff (Ellis Stanton 60), Jamie Miley (Nathan Carlyon 46), Dylan Stephenson (James Huntley 46), Kyle Crossley (Josh Scott 46), Lucas De Bolle (Jay Turner-Cooke 46), Santiago Muñoz (Cameron Ferguson 46).