With the scores level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, Ameobi notched his second of the afternoon early into extra time to make sure of the Magpies’ passage to the last eight.

In the second meeting between the two sides this week, it was the visitors who made all of the early running, and they deservedly led at the break through Ashley Fletcher’s spot-kick.

Luke Charman equalised for Newcastle just after the hour-mark, but the Hammers restored their lead against the run of play thanks to captain Declan Rice.

However, Ameobi levelled for a second time late on – curling home from 18 yards in stylish fashion.

And the winger capped off an impressive showing with the all-important winner, beating goalkeeper Nathan Trott from distance to settle a hugely entertaining encounter.

Much earlier on, however, it was the Hammers who had been quickest to impress.

Seven minutes in, a flowing move involving Fletcher, Nathan Holland and Daniel Kemp ended as the latter went down under the challenge of Liam Gibson. Referee Martin Coy pointed to the spot, and Fletcher coolly got the better of Matz Sels.

Newcastle were struggling to make their presence felt in the opposing half, though Ameobi did send a right-footed effort wide as they looked to respond.

It was the Hammers who looked much the sharper, though, and with their next attack, Holland brought a fine low stop out of Sels after another neat passage of play.

Kemp then saw a 20-yard free-kick tipped over by Sels, and – five minutes later – the diminutive wide-man was denied by the Belgian for a second time after a superb run from Holland.

The Magpies perked up as the interval drew closer. Just shy of the half-hour mark, Massadio Haidara called ‘keeper Trott into action for the first time with a low-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The Hammers’ stopper almost dropped a clanger with 40 minutes on the clock, fumbling Ameobi’s drive onto the woodwork before gathering at the second attempt.

Newcastle were almost undone again before the break, however, as Fletcher forced Sels into a fine low stop after meeting Marcus Browne’s corner from the right.

Having started the first half on the back foot, the Magpies began the second in much more promising fashion. Haidara and Ameobi both threatened early on, the former after a fine cross from Charman.

Charman himself then looked set to restore parity after latching onto Haidara’s threaded ball, only for defender Kyle Knoyle to produce a superb block.

However, Charman didn’t have to wait much longer to get his name on the scoresheet.

Haidara found a pocket of space deep on the left, and put the ball on a plate for the Magpies’ frontman with a low cross.

Buoyed by their leveller, Newcastle started to get on top. Substitute Jamie Holmes almost made an instant impact after gathering the ball from Haidara, but Trott got both hands to the winger’s low-struck effort.

But, just seconds later, the visitors got their noses back in front.

Rice rose high to meet a cross from the right, and the defender’s downward header proved too well-placed for Sels.

With ten minutes remaining, however, the Belgian produced a smart save to deny Fletcher after a quick break, and it was to prove crucial, as Newcastle soon levelled again.

The ball broke for Ameobi on the edge of the penalty area, and after taking a touch to set himself, the winger picked out the top corner with a fine strike.

Ameobi almost completed a quick-fire turnaround in the final minute of normal time, forcing Trott to gather at his near post after pouncing on another loose ball.

Further drama was to come before the additional 30 minutes began, with both sides inches from a winner.

Charman was first to go close, clearing the crossbar from just inside the area after cutting in from the left.

Browne then hit the far post with a sweetly-struck effort from range, before the Magpies broke with pace. After getting the better of Knoyle, Ameobi’s inviting centre was only just missed by Tom Heardman, a late replacement for Gibson.

Ameobi’s impact was becoming increasingly noticeable, and just minutes into extra time, the wide-man netted another corker, rifling home from 25 yards with Trott helpless.

With 102 minutes on the clock, Browne called Sels into action with the visitors chasing the game for the first time.

At the other end, Heardman almost put the outcome beyond doubt after taking aim 18 yards out, but the forward was denied by Trott.

West Ham continued to knock on the door as the clock ticked by, Browne forcing one final save out of Sels in the dying embers.

They could not bring the scores level for a third time, though, as the Magpies sent the competition's current holders packing.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Matz Sels, Callum Williams, Curtis Good, Stuart Findlay, Liam Gibson (Tom Heardman 77), Jack Hunter, Dan Barlaser, Massadio Haidara (Michael Newberry 106), Victor Fernandez (Jamie Holmes 64), Sammy Ameobi, Luke Charman.

West Ham United Under-23s: Nathan Trott, Kyle Knoyle, Noha Sylvestre (Jahmal Hector-Ingram 108), Moses Makasi, Olatunji Akinola, Declan Rice, Daniel Kemp, Martin Samuelsen (Alfie Lewis 62), Ashley Fletcher, Marcus Browne, Nathan Holland (Joe Powell 84).