Jay Turner-Cooke's free-kick, the teenager's second set-piece in as many games for United's second-string, broke the deadlock at The Walks before Abu Kamara's composed finish drew the Canaries level before half-time.

The young Magpies conceded twice in the opening five minutes of the second-half as Shae Hutchinson's strike, 15 seconds after the restart, sent the hosts ahead before the 21-year-old's close-range finish extended City's advantage further.

The visitors, however, staged a dramatic fightback as strikes from Adam Wilson and Turner-Cooke drew United's youngsters on level terms before substitute Isaac Westendorf netted the winner in the dying stages, although the Bremen-born striker was then sent off after, whilst on a yellow card, taking his shirt off in celebration.

Elliott Dickman made two changes to the side which defeated North Shields via penalties in the Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final on Thursday as Santiago Muñoz - who joined the Magpies from Santos Laguna on an 18-month loan last summer - was handed his first full start for United's second-string.

Lucas De Bolle, who was named on the bench for Newcastle's Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and West Ham United, was brought into the starting line-up in place of Reagan Thomson.

In the 20th minute, United opened the scoring through Turner-Cooke's eighth goal of the season at under-23 level as the 18-year-old, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from Sunderland in January 2021, fired his free-kick past Norwich goalkeeper Archie Mair.

Dylan Stephenson went close to notching his 14th goal of the season at second-string level after Wilson set up the Blyth-born striker following impressive work on the left flank but the 19-year-old stabbed his shot wide.

In the 31st minute, Norwich drew level through Kamara as the striker combined with Flynn Clarke before rifling a first-time effort beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Jake Turner.

Newcastle fell behind inside the opening minute of the second-half as Hutchinson fired the ball home following a dangerous low cross into the box before the pacey forward notched his brace minutes later, latching onto Kamara's pass before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The young Magpies halved the deficit in the 62nd minute through Wilson as the 21-year-old winger, who primarily plays on the left, stuck a low effort into the far corner. 

In the 76th minute, Newcastle scored their third goal of the evening as Turner-Cooke grabbed his ninth goal in his previous 11 matches at second-string level, racing onto Westendorf's flick-on before confidently dispatching his attempt past Muir.

With the full-time whistle approaching, Newcastle completed a remarkable turnaround as Westendorf, introduced from the bench at half-time, netted an 89th minute winner. 

The young forward, who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies last month following a successful trial, blasted the ball home to seal the win for the visitors.

After wheeling away to celebrate, taking his shirt off in the process, the 20-year-old was sent off in the final minutes having already received a yellow card but United survived stoppage-time with ten men to bolster their hopes of qualification for the play-off spots.

Newcastle United Under-23s: Jake Turner, Ryan Barrett, Charlie Wiggett, Brad Cross (Isaac Westendorf 71), Josh Scott, Niall Brookwell, Lucas De Bolle (c), Jay Turner-Cooke, Adam Wilson, Santiago Muñoz (Mo Sangare 46), Dylan Stephenson.

Subs not used: Joe Oliver, Max Thompson. 

Photo courtesy of Matthew Usher