After a goalless first half at the Mornflake Stadium, Newcastle’s second-string conceded within two minutes of the restart following Rhys Allport’s finish before the visitors, comprising of four debutants at under-21 level, drew level on the hour mark courtesy of James Huntley’s penalty.

However, Connor Evans’ emphatic finish in the closing stages condemned Newcastle's youngsters to a narrow defeat, leapfrogging the young Magpies into third place of Northern Group B in the process.

With both sides unable to progress into the knockout stages of the tournament prior to kick-off, Ben Dawson made six changes from the side which suffered a 3-0 loss against their Nottingham Forest counterparts ten days ago, handing debuts at under-21 level to England Under-17 international trio Leo Shahar, Trevan Sanusi and Sean Neave.

Newcastle’s youngsters began the contest in bright fashion as Stephenson, who scored for the Magpies’ first team during a 5-0 Diriyah Season Cup victory against Al Hilal in December 2022, latched onto Nathan Carlyon’s through pass but the Blyth-born striker’s low effort at goal was pushed out for a corner by Crewe goalkeeper Tom Booth.

The visitors withstood pressure from the League Two side as Crewe winger Aaron Rowe shifted the ball onto his right foot before curling his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Harris, who was named on the bench for the Magpies’ UEFA Champions League draw away at AC Milan in September, denied Calum Aigus from opening the scoring after Ryan Cooney’s cross into the box was only cleared into the forward’s path by Shahar but the former’s low effort was held by the 16-year-old goalkeeper.

Sanusi, who joined the Magpies from Birmingham City last summer, almost sent United ahead on the stroke of half-time as the 16-year-old winger dangerously cut inside from the left flank before his fierce shot at goal was tipped over the crossbar by Booth.

Newcastle were delivered a tough blow in the 47th minute as Allport, one of five Crewe substitutes introduced at the restart, fired the Railwaymen ahead.

After Evans attempted to retrieve the ball from Harris, the teenage ‘keeper produced an unfortunate slip and diverted the ball into Allport’s path who was on hand to place the ball into the net.

Neave, who has scored eight goals in nine league matches at under-18 level so far this season, went close to scoring on his maiden appearance at under-21 level as the 16-year-old won the ball on the halfway line before driving forward into the box but the forward’s resulting effort was placed wide of the left-hand post.

In the 60th minute, Newcastle equalised through Huntley’s spot-kick. After Stephenson beat Matthew Senior to a loose ball inside the box, the 20-year-old was swiped down by the Crewe defender before Huntley made no mistake from 12 yards, slotting the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Newcastle were fortunate to remain on level terms minutes later as a dangerous attacking move from the hosts resulted in Evans’ first-time effort crashing onto the foot of the left-hand post before the United defence escaped further danger.

United’s second-string pushed forward for a winner in the closing stages, with Josh Scott and Stephenson both denied by strong saves from Booth.

In the 83rd minute, Newcastle fell behind for a second time through Evans as the Alex midfielder collected Lewis Billington’s pass before rifling a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Aidan Harris, Leo Shahar, Cathal Heffernan (c), Remi Savage, Dylan Charlton, Nathan Carlyon, Josh Scott, James Huntley, Sean Neave (Joe Brayson 68), Trevan Sanusi, Dylan Stephenson.

Subs not used: Will Brown, Carter Milmore, Harry Powell, Logan Watts, Shaun Mavididi.