The young Magpies opened the scoring in the early stages of the Division Two meeting, courtesy of defender Charlie Wiggett, before strikes from Dara McGuinness and Jacob Holland-Wilkinson sent United's youngsters behind at the half-time break.

As City were reduced to ten men in the latter stages, following Gabriel Adebambo's red card, Newcastle drew level in stoppage-time following Ben Parkinson's equaliser to secure a point in Staffordshire.

Under-21s Lead Player Development Coach Ben Dawson made four changes to the side which were held to a 2-2 draw against Leeds United as defender Ciaran Thompson was handed his competitive debut at second-string level whilst goalkeeper Will Brown, defender Remi Savage and striker Michael Ndiweni were handed starts against their Potters counterparts.

In the 9th minute, Newcastle took the lead through Wiggett as the Reading-born centre-back, who joined the Magpies' Academy from Chelsea in the summer of 2021, pounced on a loose ball in the box following a free-kick routine before firing the ball beyond Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.

United's youngsters, however, found themselves back on level terms in the 35th minute as McGuinness ran onto David Ogakbue's pass before firing a fierce effort underneath Brown.

Newcastle were delivered a further blow in the 39th minute as Holland-Wilkinson was on hand to force the ball over the line from close-range following a goalmouth scramble inside a crowded penalty area.

In the second-half, United targeted an equaliser as Amadou Diallo,, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up in October 2022 following a successful trial, was unable to connect with Parkinson's teasing cross from the right flank, with the ball narrowly evading the stretching winger.

The reverse fixture included two red cards back in August and this contest provided a unsavoury turn as Adebambo was sent off for the hosts as the City defender received his marching orders following a second yellow card.

With five minutes of stoppage-time, Newcastle heavily pushed forward and were rewarded in the second minute of injury time through Parkinson.

The Durham-born teenager, who joined United's Academy at the age of seven, netted his first goal at under-21 level in their previous Premier League 2 match against Leeds and continued his bright form in front of goal after beating Simkin with a powerful drive to snatch a point in the dying minutes of the league clash.

Newcastle United's second-string return to Premier League 2 action on Monday, 6th March when they host their West Bromwich Albion counterparts at Whitley Park (kick-off 7pm GMT).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Will Brown, Ciaran Thompson, Remi Savage, Charlie Wiggett (Jamie Miley 81), Matt Bondswell, Nathan Carlyon, Lewis Miley, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Rodrigo Vilca (James Huntley 72), Michael Ndiweni (Johnny Emerson 66).

Subs not used: Jordan Hackett, Aidan Harris.