The league clash looked to be heading towards a stalemate at Whitley Park before the young Magpies, targeting back-to-back league wins after November's 3-2 win against Burnley, fell behind in the final stages through Coulson's close-range finish.

Newcastle's youngsters were unable to rescue a point against their North east neighbours in the final stages as their winless run across all competitions extended to seven matches.

In their first game of 2026, Newcastle's youngsters almost fell behind in the opening 60 seconds as Adam Harrison's intended clearance from his own box was charged down by Layton Campbell but, to the goalkeeper's fortune, the ball bounced wide of the right-hand post.

Kyle Fitzgerald, who arrived at St. James' Park from hometown club Galway United in February 2025, completed a positive run towards goal but the Irish winger was unable to attempt a shot at goal as Jack Daley produced a last-ditch interception inside the penalty area.

Kacey Wooster, who made his Magpies debut at under-21 level in August's Premier League 2 visit of Chelsea, was unable to fire the hosts ahead after latching onto Fitzgerald's pass inside the box, following a rapid break from the latter, but saw a fierce low effort blocked by Middlesbrough captain Archie Baptiste.

Matheos Ferreira, who netted a hat-trick in Newcastle's FA Youth Cup third round win against Portsmouth last month, went close to netting his first goal of the season at under-21 level as the Ashington-born winger, who signed his professional contract with United last summer, cut inside from the left flank before drilling a venomous dipping effort wide of the right-hand post.

Harrison, named on the bench for the Magpies' UEFA Champions League clash away at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, produced an important stop to preserve United's clean sheet hopes as Rio Patterson-Powell's free-kick from the edge of the box was pushed around the right-hand post by the Ponteland-born shot-stopper.

In the second half, Harrison was alert to deny Patterson-Powell for a second time as the Boro winger advanced towards goal before his low drive was pushed away by the teenage 'keeper before Magpies skipper Ciaran Thompson blocked the rebounded attempt at goal.

Newcastle were appealing for a penalty minutes later as Fitzgerald raced onto Alfie Harrison's pass but the Irishman received a yellow card for simulation after advancing beyond Boro goalkeeper Shea Connor inside the box before falling to the floor.

The United wingers continued to prove the main vocal points in attack as Ferreira's fizzing strike from the edge of the box, identical to his first-half effort, was spilled by Connor but the Boro 'keeper was able to smother the loose ball.

Newcastle maintained their pursuit for the opening goal as Fitzgerald, who has represented Republic of Ireland at under-17 level, arrived onto Ferreira's lofted cross at the back post but his tame volley was comfortably held by Connor.

United's second-string faced a testing period from the visitors after the hour mark as Baptiste drove an effort over the crossbar inside the box before, minutes later, Finch took aim from the edge of the box after picking up the ball in a dangerous position but his curling effort from the edge of the penalty area flew past a rooted Harrison.

Alfie Hutchison was introduced from the substitutes' bench, making his debut at under-21 level in the process, and was unable to make a goalscoring impact as the Scottish striker, who arrived at the Magpies' Academy from Glasgow Rangers last summer, rose from Ciaran Thompson's in-swinging cross but the 16-year old's header was comfortably held by Connor.

Middlesbrough hit the post through Finch as the visitors capitalised on Rory Finneran's unfortunate slip towards the halfway line but despite a dangerous counter-attack, the Boro forward's effort at goal struck the outside of the right-hand post.

In the 85th minute, Newcastle's hopes of a clean sheet were dashed as Coulson fired the Teessiders into the lead as Oliver Samuels' free-kick was headed into the unamrked winger's path, who placed the ball beyond Harrison.

With four minutes of stoppage-time awarded, Newcastle went agonisingly close to ending their five-game goal drought as Harrison's inviting low cross into the six-yard area almost forced Daley into turning the ball into his own net, which flew narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Adam Harrison, Ciaran Thompson (c), Dylan Charlton, Charlie McArthur, Miodrag Pivaš, Rory Finneran, Kyle Fitzgerald (Sam Alabi 77), Scott Bailey, Kacey Wooster (Alfie Huthcison 70), Alfie Harrison, Matheos Ferreira.

Subs not used: Logan Watts, James Taylor, Baran Yildiz.