The National League North side - managed by former Magpie Steve Watson - made the short journey to The KNOX on Saturday for the behind-closed-doors clash at the end of United's first week back in training ahead of the upcoming season.

Howe fielded completely different XIs in each half, handing a debut to summer signing Sean Steur in the opening 45 minutes before fellow new boy Ewen Jaouen kept goal in the second period for a team largely made up of under-21 players.

Newcastle dominated the ball but it took until the 29th minute for them to find a breakthrough against a well-organised Darlington side who had won each of their two pre-season friendlies so far, when Jacob Murphy crossed from the right and Willock turned home from close range.

Six minutes later, Osula made it 2-0 as he converted confidently from the penalty spot after Willock went down under a challenge from Ben Hedley.

The interval saw both managers ring the changes, with teenagers Neave and Trevan Sanusi the only Newcastle players boasting competitive first-team experience for the Magpies.

And 19-year-old Neave - who made both his Champions League and Premier League bow last term - opened his account for the new season with a low shot following a strong run midway through the second half. New goalkeeper Jaouen was rarely tested as he kept a clean sheet in his first appearance following his move from Reims last month.

The Magpies' first public pre-season friendly of this summer comes against Gateshead next Saturday (kick-off 12:30 BST). Ticket details are here while the game will also be streamed live on newcastleunited.com.

Newcastle United (first half): Nick Pope, Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock, Sean Steur, Jacob Murphy, William Osula, Harvey Barnes

Newcastle United (second half): Ewen Jaouen, Mason Miley, Miodrag Pivaš, Luke Craggs, Dylan Charlton, Rory Finneran, Anthony Munda, Sean Neave, Trevan Sanusi, Park Seung-soo, Vakhtang Salia