The young Magpies conceded twice in the opening 20 minutes following Julian Larsson's early opener and Kyle McAdam's scrambled finish before Rodrigo Vilca halved the deficit in quick fashion at the Nigel Doughty Academy.

Newcastle, however, were unable to salvage a comeback in comparison to the first-team 24 hours ago, with Larsson's low finish regaining the hosts' two-goal cushion shortly before the hour mark.

Ben Dawson made one change from the side which suffered a 5-2 home defeat against their West Bromwich Albion counterparts as defender Alex Murphy, who joined the Magpies from hometown club Galway United last summer, replaced Remi Savage at the heart of the United backline.

In the 6th minute, Forest opened the scoring through Larsson as Josh Powell's teasing cross from the left flank was directed into the Swedish forward's path, who guided the ball beyond Magpies goalkeeper Max Thompson.

Amadou Diallo, who joined United's youth set-up in October 2022 following a successful trial, went close to equalising for the visitors as the 19-year-old winger's effort from the edge of the box was pushed away by Forest goalkeeper Aaron Bott.

In the 18th minute, Newcastle were dealt another difficult blow as McAdam netted for the Tricky Trees. After the United defence were unable to clear the ball away to safety following a dangerous corner, the Forest midfielder was on hand to stab the ball home inside a crowded six-yard area.

Thompson, a representative of England at under-18 level, produced an important one-handed stop to deny Larsson as the 19-year-old goalkeeper reacted quickly to the Swede's glancing header inside the box.

In the 24th minute, Vilca pulled a goal back for United's second-string as the Peruvian's low effort squeezed underneath Bott, his second goal in as many games for Newcastle's under-21 side.

The 24-year-old then went close to netting his and Newcastle's second of the afternoon as the South American's half volley flew forced Bott into holding the goalbound effort.

In the second-half, Diallo tested Bott with a curling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, forcing the Reds goalkeeper into pushing the ball away from danger.

In the 54th minute, Newcastle conceded a third as Larsson converted inside the penalty area, drilling a powerful effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle's second-string pushed forward in their bid to halve the deficit once again, with Diallo's cross from the right flank landed on top of the crossbar before James Huntley's deflected shot shortly after was headed off the line by left-back Josh Powell.

Newcastle United Under-21s return to Premier League 2 action on Monday, 3rd April when they host their Middlesbrough counterparts at St. James' Park (kick-off 7pm BST).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson, Ciaran Thompson, Alex Murphy, Charlie Wiggett (Jordan Hackett 79), Matt Bondswell, Nathan Carlyon (James Huntley 61), Lewis Miley, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo (c), Rodrigo Vilca, Michael Ndiweni (Cameron Ferguson 61).

Subs not used: Remi Savage, Aidan Harris.