Newcastle's youngsters, aiming for a fourth successive Premier League 2 win, trailed on the half-hour mark at Whitley Park through Will Swan's close-range finish.

United's second-string, who had claimed six wins in a row before Monday night's clash, were unable to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches, with substitute Rodrigo Vilca hitting the post in the closing stages.

One change was made to the side which claimed a 2-0 away win against Birmingham City in the Premier League Cup on Friday night as Elliot Anderson, who netted a hat-trick against Forest in a 3-1 away win in November, replaced Joe White. 

Striker Isaac Westendorf was also named in United's under-23s squad as the teenage forward, who scored two goals in three trial games for the young Magpies in October, put pen to paper on an 18-month contract.

Newcastle goalkeeper Will Brown, who joined the Magpies' Academy at the age of 13, was forced into action within the opening stages, producing an important save to deny Julian Larsson.

The young shot-stopper, who kept a clean sheet against Birmingham on Friday, managed to block the Swede's close-range shot following Ateef Konaté's dangerous pass across the penalty area.

In the 31st minute, Forest broke the deadlock through Swan. After Charlie Wiggett's pass was dispossessed by Ollie Hammond, the midfielder threaded a through ball into Konaté's path before the Frenchman's cross-cum shot flew into the striker's path, who drilled the ball into the roof of the net. 

Brown was alert shortly after to deny Konaté, tipping the attacking midfielder's teasing free-kick over his own crossbar before Forest full-back Alex Gibson-Hammond rifled a ferocious effort into the side-netting. 

The young Magpies were unable to register a shot on target during the opening 45 minutes as Josh Scott, who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies last summer, drilled a fierce effort wide of the target on the stroke of half-time.

In the second-half, the Magpies went close to netting an equaliser as Anderson, who made his Premier League debut for his boyhood club against Arsenal in January 2021, curled a free-kick from the edge of the box narrowly over the crossbar.

Brown was on hand to prevent Forest from doubling their advantage as the 20-year-old goalkeeper got down quickly to push away Swan's low strike from the edge of the box.

Charlie Wiggett, who joined Newcastle from Chelsea last summer, went close to notching his fifth goal of the 2021/22 campaign. After getting onto the end of Jack Young's inviting corner, the Reading-born centre-back was denied by Forest goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth, who tipped the ball over the bar.

Westendorf and Vilca were introduced in the hope of a breakthrough in front of goal, with the latter striking the post for the hosts. The Peruvian midfielder, who spent the first-half of the term on loan at Doncaster Rovers, picked the ball up from distance before his low drive struck the foot of the left-hand post.

With full-time approaching, Newcastle were left appealing for a penalty after Niall Brookwell, who scored against Birmingham in last week's Premier League Cup victory, was brought down inside the box but referee Michael Barlow waved away the decision to the frustration of the young Magpies.

Newcastle's second-string host their Aston Villa counterparts at Whitley Park in their upcoming Premier League 2 fixture on Monday, 31st January (kick-off 7pm GMT).

Newcastle United Under-23s: Will Brown, Nathan Carlyon, Charlie Wiggett, Niall Brookwell, Josh Scott (Rodrigo Vilca 71), Jack Young (c) (Jamie Miley 83), Elliot Anderson, Adam Wilson, Matt Bondswell, Lucas De Bolle, Cameron Ferguson (Isaac Westendorf 59).

Subs not used: Reagan Thomson, Steven Bessent.