The young Magpies went close to breaking the deadlock on numerous occasions at St. James' Park, with United youngster Jay Turner-Cooke clipping the post in the first-half having been initially denied by Boro goalkeeper Max Metcalfe.

Michael Ndiweni almost made an immediate impact from the substitutes' bench in the latter stages of the Premier League 2 clash as the Throckley-born striker also hit the woodwork with a low effort in the closing stages but United's youngsters held firm to record a first clean sheet since August, with teenage goalkeeper Max Thompson denying Sam Collins with an important save in the closing stages. 

Ben Dawson made three changes to the side which recorded a 3-1 loss against their Nottingham Forest counterparts as Turner-Cooke, who joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of the 2022/23 season, was handed a start for United's second-string whilst Remi Savage and Jamie Miley replaced Charlie Wiggett and Nathan Carlyon respectively. 

Thompson produced an important stop to deny Jeremy Sivi as the Boro forward's low drive forced the England under-18 international in getting down low before turning the powerful strike out for a corner.

Newcastle were fortunate to remain on level terms shortly after as George Gitau let fly from distance but the right-back's long-range attempt grazed the crossbar.

Rodrigo Vilca, who joined the Magpies from Deportivo Municipal in October 2020, went close to sending United's second-string in front as the Peruvian latched onto Jay Turner-Cooke's teasing cross but his effort inside the penalty area was bravely blocked by Alfonso Lindo.

Lewis Miley, who was named on Newcastle's first-team bench for their Premier League trip to AFC Bournemouth in February, attempted to fire a strike towards goal in front of the Leazes End but Boro defender Cain Sykes produced a last-ditch tackle to block the 16-year-old's drilled effort.

It looked as if Jamie Miley had fired Newcastle ahead minutes later as the central midfielder, older brother of Lewis, steered a loose ball into the net from inside the six-yard area but the Stanley-born teenager had strayed into an offside position before firing home. 

Turner-Cooke spurned a key opportunity before the half-time whistle after connecting with Ben Parkinson's inviting cross but the 19-year-old's first-time effort was blocked by Metcalfe before his rebound from an acute angle struck the outside of the left-hand post. 

In the second-half, Nathan Simpson looked to have broken the deadlock for the visitors after slotting the ball beyond Thompson but the Boro midfielder, who had advanced into an offside position, saw his effort disallowed.

Newcastle continued to threaten in front of goal as Amadou Diallo, who joined United's youth set-up in October 2022 following a successful trial, saw a low shot blocked by Metcalfe after the 19-year-old winger raced onto Vilca's teasing through ball before aiming to slot the ball into the far right-hand corner.

Ndiweni was introduced from the bench shortly after before going narrowly close to making a instant impact as Ben Parkinson's neat through pass was directed into the 19-year-old striker's path but his attempt at goal struck the outside of the far left-hand post.

The substitute created another goalscoring opportunity minutes later, finding space inside the penalty area before his shot almost squeezed underneath Metcalfe, who smothered the loose ball on the goal line.

With the Division Two encounter approaching its finale, Thompson produced a crucial save to maintain Newcastle's clean sheet hopes. After Collins raced in behind the United defence, the Magpies goalkeeper stood tall before blocking the Boro forward's low shot at goal.

Newcastle broke forward after Thompson's stop as Parkinson directed a header into Ndiweni's path before his cutback found Lewis Miley but the midfielder's strike was blocked by Lindo inside the box, with appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Ed Duckworth after believing the ball struck the defender's arm.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson, Ciaran Thompson, Remi Savage, Alex Murphy, Matt Bondswell (c), Jamie Miley, Lewis Miley, Jay Turner-Cooke (Michael Ndiweni 69), Amadou Diallo (James Huntley 82), Rodrigo Vilca, Ben Parkinson.

Subs not used: Charlie Wiggett, Will Brown, Nathan Carlyon.