78)The young Magpies trailed at half-time as Brad Hird's close-range header opened the scoring for the Robins at the Daren Persson Stadium before Jay Turner-Cooke's precise free-kick shortly after the restart levelled the semi-final tie.

A penalty shoot-out followed after failing to be resolved during 90 minutes of play, with Niall Brookwell, Adam Wilson, Santiago Muñoz and Turner-Cooke all netting successful spot-kicks for Newcastle's second-string, with goalkeeper Jake Turner saving Ryan Carr's attempt and Shields substitute Kevin Norvell hitting the bar. 

United's youngsters will now face either Blyth Spartans or Bedlington Terriers in the final, which is to be staged at St. James' Park, as they aim to lift the trophy for the first time since 2018.

Elliott Dickman made five changes to the starting XI which suffered a heavy 6-1 home defeat against Fulham on Monday night as Turner, who spent the first-half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Colchester United, started in-between the sticks.

Ryan Barrett, a representative of Wales at under-17 level, was also named in the starting line-up along with Glasgow-born midfielder Reagan Thomson, Wilson and Peruvian Rodrigo Vilca, who completed a loan stint at League One Doncaster Rovers in the opening half of the 2021/22 campaign.

In front of 912 spectators, North Shields opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Hird. After David Robinson advanced along the byline before picking out Dan Wilson, the striker's deflected effort lofted kindly into Hird's path, who headed the ball into an empty net inside the six-yard area.

Dylan Stephenson, who has scored 13 goals in all competitions at under-23 level this term, registered United's first shot on target as the Blyth-born forward - who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last summer - controlled the ball with his chest inside the box before the forward's shot was blocked by former Newcastle Academy goalkeeper Olly Marshall.

Newcastle made a strong start to the second-half equalised in the 48th minute through Turner-Cooke's free-kick, the 18-year-old's sixth goal of the term at second-string level.

The South Shields-born teenager, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from Sunderland in January 2021, was fouled on the edge of the box by Chris McDonald before curling the ball into the net.

Vilca, who joined the Magpies from Deportivo Municipal in October 2020, went close to sending the visitors ahead as the Lima-born attacker drilled a powerful 20-yard effort towards goal but Marshall was alert to push the ball away to safety.

In windy conditions, Turner-Cooke went close to scoring his and United's second goal of the evening in the closing stages as the winger's corner from the right flank floated onto the top of the crossbar before bouncing out for a goal kick.

With no side able to find a late winner, the game was to be decided by a penalty shoot-out, with Brookwell netting the opening spot-kick for the young Magpies before Turner denied Carr from 12 yards, guessing the correct way to block the attempt.

Following successful conversions from Wilson and Shields' Gary Ormston, United defender Brad Cross saw his penalty clip the left-hand post before Robins substitute Norvell struck the woodwork.

Muñoz, who joined United on an 18-month loan from Santos Laguna, calmly slotted the ball home to extend the visitors' advantage and, after McDonald halved the deficit for the Northern League outfit, Turner-Cooke wrapped up the victory by cooly firing home from the spot.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Jake Turner, Ryan Barrett (Joe Oliver 75), Charlie Wiggett, Brad Cross, Josh Scott, Reagan Thomson (Santiago Muñoz 78), Niall Brookwell (c), Jay Turner-Cooke, Adam Wilson, Rodrigo Vilca, Dylan Stephenson.

Subs not used: Max Thompson, Mo Sangare, Michael Ndiweni.