After a goalless first-half at Whitley Park, Fulham broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark through Delano McCoy-Splatt's opener before the young Magpies swiftly levelled the league clash courtesy of Jamie Miley's close-range tap-in.

Lemar Gordon's clinical finish, however, restored the Cottagers' one-goal cushion before Josh King's strike in the dying stages confirmed maximum points for the West London outfit, denting United's play-off hopes with three league fixtures remaining.  

Magpies goalkeeper Jude Smith produced a key save to prevent Aaron Loupalo-Bi from breaking the deadlock as the Scotland under-21 international sprung down low to block with the Fulham forward's fiercely driven shot with his right leg.

Alfie Harrison, who joined the Magpies from Manchester City in February, went close to registering his first goal at under-21 level as the highly-rated midfielder latched onto Alfie McNally's punched clearance from Jamie Miley's lofted free-kick but the Bradford-born teenager's volley from the edge of the box was tipped away by the Fulham shot-stopper.

The 18-year-old was unfortunate not to open the scoring shortly after as Lucas De Bolle latched onto Dylan Charlton's pass before threading an inviting low ball into the penalty area but a heavy touch allowed McNally to claw the ball away.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Leo Shahar produced a heroic last-ditch block to deny Loupalo-Bi from sending the Cottagers ahead at the break. After the United defence were unable to clear a dangerous corner, the loose ball landed into Loupalo-Bi's path but his resulting close-range shot was crucially turned over the crossbar by the England Under-17 international, who joined Newcastle from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.

In the second-half, Diallo went close to recording his sixth goal of the 2023/24 campaign at second-string level as the Canning Town-born forward surged forward before a speculative long-range attempt was blocked into the side-netting.

In the 62nd minute, Fulham took the lead through McCoy-Splatt, with the Cottagers midfield racing onto a through ball in behind the Magpies defence before slotting a low effort into the far left-hand corner.

Newcastle, however, levelled the contest within the following two minutes as Miley, nominated for March's Premier League 2 Player of the Month award, scored from close-range. After Diallo beat the offside trap, the rapid winger fired a teasing ball across the six-yard area for Miley to stroke home. 

United's youngsters ought to have taken the lead as Harrison and De Bolle neatly combined before the latter saw his shot at goal blocked by Samuel Amissah before Harrison's resulting effort was also blocked.

In the 80th minute, Newcastle found themselves behind following Gordon's clinical finish as the Fulham substitute controlled the ball inside a crowded penalty area before drilling a low strike past Smith.

King doubled the visitors' advantage in the 90th minute, latching onto a loose ball inside the box before lashing the ball into the right-hand corner.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Ciaran Thompson, Cathal Heffernan (c), Charlie McArthur, Dylan Charlton, Leo Shahar (Joe Brayson 74), Jamie Miley, Alfie Harrison, Jay Turner-Cooke, Lucas De Bolle (Jordan Hackett 84), Amadou Diallo.

Subs not used: Harry Powell, Aidan Harris, Darren Palmer.