The Magpies had found the net in all bar one of their 15 outings prior, but – despite playing with an extra body for a full hour – they failed to make the breakthrough at St. James’ Park.

Though Newcastle upped the ante as time went on, it was the Hammers who started the quicker.

Just over two minutes in, Ashley Fletcher played in fellow frontman Marcus Browne, who brought a decent save out of Matz Sels at the Belgian’s near post.

Diminutive winger Daniel Kemp then found a pocket of space 20 yards out, only to see a rising effort held by Sels.

Swiss midfielder Edmilson Fernandes then took aim twice in quick succession, with his first effort – a rasping strike from the edge of the penalty area – whistling just wide of the upright.

On the half-hour mark, however, the visitors’ early momentum was stalled, as left-back Arthur Masuaku saw red for an off-the-ball incident.

Newcastle almost took advantage straight away, only for visiting stopper Nathan Trott – untested in the 30 minutes prior – to get down well to deny Haris Vuckic.

Yasin Ben El-Mhanni then fired narrowly high of the target after cutting in from the left, but – despite their numerical disadvantage – it was the Hammers who ended the half on top.

And they perhaps ought to have taken the lead just before the break, as Fletcher – unmarked at the back post – nodded wide from a Browne corner.

West Ham continued to look the brighter as the second period got underway. Fletcher sent a cross-come-shot just off-target after finding a gap on the left, before Browne drilled narrowly wide of Sels’ near post.

However, the introduction of Victor Fernandez – coupled with a change in formation – injected a new sense of purpose into the Magpies’ attack.

With 20 minutes remaining, they came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, as Luke Charman gathered Dan Barlaser’s pass before clipping the crossbar with a powerful drive.

Within the blink of an eye, Charman came close again. The forward found himself one-on-one with Trott after latching onto Callum Williams’ deflected ball, but failed to keep his low-struck effort on target.

Wide-man Fernandez then called Trott into action after a burst from the left, but the ‘keeper collected at the second attempt.

Seconds later, Trott almost gift-wrapped the Magpies an opener after spilling a routine catch, but he recovered to palm Stuart Findlay’s header away from goal.

West Ham continued to pose a threat themselves, however, and with five minutes remaining, Curtis Good was forced into a superb block to deny substitute Joe Powell, who had gathered Fletcher’s centre.

Another Newcastle substitute, Adam Wilson, took aim in the dying embers, but it was not to be for Peter Beardsley’s side, though they do remain a point clear of the Hammers in the standings.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Matz Sels, Callum Williams, Curtis Good, Stuart Findlay, Michael Newberry, Dan Barlaser, Dan Ward (Victor Fernandez 56), Haris Vuckic, Yasin Ben El-Mhanni (Adam Wilson 75), Luke Charman, Tom Heardman.

West Ham United Under-23s: Nathan Trott, Kyle Knoyle, Arthur Masuaku, Moses Makasi, Joshua Pask (Olatunji Akinola 10), Declan Rice, Daniel Kemp, Edmilson Fernandes (Joe Powell 82), Ashley Fletcher, Marcus Browne, Nathan Holland (Noha Sylvestre 50).

Referee: Karl Evans

Bookings: Newcastle United Under-23s – none; West Ham United Under-23s – none.

Sent off: Newcastle United Under-23s – none; West Ham United Under-23s – Arthur Masuaku (30).

Attendance: 457