Callum Roberts' superb solo effort just before the quarter hour mark won it for Peter Beardsley's side, who carved out plenty of chances to extend their lead.

Brighton fought back, missing a penalty and striking the crossbar as they sought a leveller, but United hung on to take the three points at Little Benton.

The hosts were quickest out of the traps, with Roberts, Tom Heardman and Callum Williams combining with some fine one-touch play to release the latter on the right. Williams' cross found its way to Heardman, whose shot was deflected over.

Sean Longstaff fired over before Roberts and Liam Smith both went close, but a swift counter attack almost provided an opener for the Seagulls, as Henrik Bjordal broke down the left and played in James Tilley, who struck the outside of the post.

But soon after, Roberts' individual brilliance allowed him to open the scoring, as he evaded a number of Brighton challenges on the edge of the box before planting a shot into the bottom right-hand corner, leaving goalkeeper Rob Sanchez rooted to the spot.

Rob Elliot, who got another 90 minutes under his belt as he steps up his recovery from injury, made a stunning finger tip save to deny Connor Tighe when the forward glanced a header goalwards, but the remainder of the half saw a dominant Magpies side continue to apply pressure.

First, Heardman's run created space for Roberts, and when the ball fell kindly for Longstaff, Sanchez was forced to punch his powerful effort away.

Roberts saw a free kick and a curling shot then Beardsley's youngsters produced another excellent attack, as a long throw from Elliot set them on the front foot. Roberts played in Adam Wilson on the left, and his cross was flicked just wide by the in-form forward Heardman as he met it at full stretch.

Three minutes after the break, though, Brighton were handed a golden chance to draw level after Elliot was adjudged to have brought down Tighe in the box. Tilley stepped up, but his penalty struck the base of the the post and United survived.

Winger Roberts saw another shot blocked and Liam Smith struck the upright after collecting Longstaff's pass as Newcastle responded well, and they had an even better chance to extend their lead when Dan Barlaser played in Heardman, who slipped as he set himself to shoot. Substitute Jamie Holmes gathered the loose ball and shot, but Sanchez blocked it and Longstaff could only volley wide.

And with just over ten minutes remaining, Brighton thought they'd plundered an equaliser when Max Sanders's superb curling shot struck the crossbar and bounced down with Elliot helpless, but referee Andrew Miller and his assistants were unmoved by the visitors' protest that the ball had crossed the line and United held on to secure the victory.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Rob Elliot (c); Callum Williams (Michael Newberry 46), Curtis Good, Stuart Findlay, Adam Wilson; Dan Barlaser, Jack Hunter; Callum Roberts, Sean Longstaff, Liam Smith; Tom Heardman.

Subs not used: Nathan Harker, Yasin Ben El-Mhanni.