After a goalless first-half at Whitley Park, Leeds broke the deadlock in controversial fashion following Thomas' spot-kick, with referee James Oldham initially awarding a corner after the ball was adjudged to strike Kyle Crossley before later penalising the forward for handball.

The Leeds forward then doubled his and Leeds' tally with a curling finish in the closing stages, resulting in the young Magpies missing out on a top 16 spot in the division with two league matches remaining.

Leeds created the opening goalscoring opportunity as Thomas capitalised on Jay Turner-Cooke's loose pass before the teenager's audacious effort from distance flew narrowly wide of the left-hand post to the relief of Magpies goalkeeper Aidan Harris.

Jamie Miley, nominated for March's Premier League 2 Player of the Month after recording three assists in as many league matches, produced an important block to turn Sam Chambers' drilled effort from a tight angle into the side-netting.

Newcastle's youngsters were unable to break the deadlock in the first-half as teenage midfielder Ellis Stanton - who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies in the summer of 2022 - latched onto a clearance from the box before firing a wild effort wide of the target.

Miley, who featured for United's first-team during their Premier League Summer Series campaign in the United States last summer, went close to recording back-to-back goals following his strike against Fulham last weekend as the Stanley-born midfielder's vicious low drive from the edge of the penalty area flashed past the far left-hand post.

Turner-Cooke, who spent the first-half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Scottish Premiership outfit St Johnstone, almost fired the hosts ahead in stunning fashion as the South Shields-born youngster's curling free-kick from the edge of the box flew inches over the crossbar.

Alfie Harrison, who joined United from Manchester City in February 2024, went close to registering his first goal at under-21 level as the Bradford-born midfielder's low shot was pushed into Crossley's path by Leeds goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel, but the in-form striker was unable to net a sixth goal in his last four Premier League 2 outings after lifting the ball wide of the target.

In the 67th minute, Leeds took the lead through Thomas' penalty. After the ball was adjudged to strike Heffernan, referee Oldham awarded a corner kick before, after discussions with assistant referee Michael Johnson, changing his decision to the frustration of the hosts, with Thomas firing his attempt from 12 yards into the left-hand corner despite Harris guessing the correct way.

Newcastle suffered a further blow in the 80th minute as Thomas doubled his and the visitors' tally. After the Whites forward managed to evade a challenge in a dangerous position, the teenage forward surged towards goal before his resulting effort from the edge of the box flew into the top right-hand corner.

United's youngsters maintained their search for a goal as Turner-Cooke's stinging drive from the edge of the box forced van den Heuvel into tipping the ball over his own crossbar but Newcastle's second-string were unable to salvage a late fightback.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Aidan Harris, Leo Shahar (c), Ciaran Thompson, Charlie McArthur (Cathal Heffernan 46), Dylan Charlton, Jamie Miley (Jordan Hackett 83), Ellis Stanton (Lucas De Bolle 67), Alfie Harrison, Jay Turner-Cooke, Amadou Diallo, Kyle Crossley (Joe Brayson 76).

Subs not used: Will Brown.