After a goalless first-half, Newcastle's youngsters fell behind shortly after the restart following Fenton Heard's deflected effort before two goals in the space of six minutes turned the clash in United's favour following strikes from Ben Parkinson and Kyle Crossley.

Crossley doubled United's lead in the closing stages, a sixth goal in his last four appearances for Newcastle's second-string, and despite Harry Whitwell's stoppage-time strike setting up a nervy finale, United' youngsters held firm to record an important victory in their bid for a top 16 spot this season.

Four changes were made from Newcastle's narrow 3-2 defeat against Middlesbrough a fortnight ago as Jay Turner-Cooke, who spent the first-half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Scottish Premiership outfit St Johnstone, was handed a start as well as Scottish goalkeeper Jude Smith, teenage right-back Leo Shahar and Jordan Hackett.

Smith was forced into early action for the hosts as the Scotland under-21 international, who joined the Magpies from Scottish League Two side East Fife, got down low to turn away Jovan Malcolm's low strike towards goal before Albion midfielder Cole Deeming drilled an effort from the edge of the box over the crossbar minutes later.

Smith produced an excellent stop to prevent Ollie Bostock from breaking the deadlock, importantly tipping the Albion forward's low effort past the far post despite referee Michael Crusham awarding a goal kick.

Ben Parkinson, who made his Premier League debut for the Magpies against AFC Bournemouth in November, saw an effort pushed away by West Brom goalkeeper Brad Foster before Turner-Cooke's rebound was held by the Baggies shot-stopper.

In the 54th minute, West Brom took the lead through Heard. After the Albion forward was allowed space to drive forward, his resulting strike inside the box took a slight deflection before landing in the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Alfie Harrison, who joined United in February 2024 from Manchester City, went close to recording his first goal at second-string level as the 18-year-old's low strike towards the far right-hand corner was pushed away by Foster.

Kyle Crossley went close to netting in his fourth consecutive outing at under-21 level as the Murton-born teenager, racing into the penalty area from Parkinson's pass before firing wide of the target.

The young Magpies went agonisingly close to drawing level as Harrison's shot struck Jack McDowell before clipping the left-hand post.

In the 73rd minute, though, Newcastle equalised through Parkinson's sixth goal of the season at under-21 level. After Dylan Charlton threaded a neat pass into Harrison's path, the Bradford-born midfielder squared the ball to Parkinson, who lashed the ball into the net.

Six minutes later, Crossley fired the young Magpies ahead, netting in his fourth consecutive game at under-21 level in the process. After Harrison's initial shot was saved by Foster, Crossley was quickly on hand to volley the loose ball into the net.

In the 86th minute, Crossley scored his sixth goal in his last competitive outings at second-string level, racing through on goal, following Harrison's impressive pass, before drilling the ball beyond Foster.

With seven minutes of stoppage-time awarded, Newcastle's two-goal cushion was halved by Whitwell in the 92nd minute, firing home from close-range, but the goal would not prove costly as the young Magpies held firm to prevail in a five-goal thriller.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Leo Shahar, Ciaran Thompson, Cathal Heffernan (c), Dylan Charlton, Jamie Miley, Ellis Stanton (Joe Brayson 68), Alfie Harrison, Jay Turner-Cooke (Kyle Crossley 57), Jordan Hackett (Lucas De Bolle 57), Ben Parkinson.

Subs not used: Charlie McArthur, Aidan Harris.