The young Magpies fell behind in the closing stages of the first-half at the Stadium of Light as Tyrese Dyce netted from close-range for the Black Cats following Ellis Taylor's corner.

However, Jay Turner-Cooke's deflected effort levelled the Premier League 2 encounter, the 17-year-old's first goal at under-23 level, before Adam Wilson's drilled finish sent the visitors into the lead towards the hour mark.

United's youngsters, backed by 150 away supporters, then held firm in the closing stages to seal maximum points against their North east neighbours, moving into the Premier League 2 play-off spots in the process.

Newcastle's second-string were fortunate not to concede in the opening minutes of the Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland forward Joe Ryder dangerously advanced towards goal before firing a low effort wide of the right-hand post.

Magpies goalkeeper Dan Langley, who made his first-team debut for his boyhood club in a pre-season friendly at York City back in July, was forced into tipping over an audacious long-range effort from Taylor.

In the 39th minute, the Black Cats took the lead through Dyce as the defender managed to poke the ball from inside the six-yard area after Taylor's teasing corner reached the defender at the back post.

Midfielder Lucas De Bolle, who signed his first professional contract for the Magpies in June, almost netted a maiden goal at under-23 level as the 18-year-old's close-range strike was blocked by Sunderland goalkeeper Jacob Carney.

United's top goalscorer at second-string level, Dylan Stephenson, went close to netting his eight league goal in as many appearances on the stroke of half-time as the Blyth-born striker raced onto White's through ball but the 18-year-old's effort was held by Carney.

Newcastle began the second-half in bright fashion and were rewarded, albeit in fortunate circumstances, as Turner-Cooke - who joined the Magpies from Sunderland - netted against his former club.

As Joe White cut inside from the right flank, the midfielder's goal bound strike took a kind deflection off Turner-Cooke, wrong-footing Carney before finding the far left-hand corner.

In the 59th minute, Newcastle found themselves in front through Wilson as White raced towards goal before producing a clinical pass into the 21-year-old's path, who drilled a low first-time effort into the net.

With full-time approaching, Langley produced an important save to deny Caden Kelly before Dyce was unable to follow up with the rebound after taking a wild swipe at the loose ball.

During six minutes of stoppage time, White went close to bagging his first goal for United's under-23s as the teenage midfielder, who made his Newcastle first-team debut in a pre-season friendly draw at Rotherham United in July, fired a low effort narrowly wide following a threatening run at the Sunderland backline.

Newcastle United Under-23s will aim to record a third consecutive Premier League 2 victory when they host their Wolverhampton Wanderers counterparts in their next fixture, which takes place at Whitley Park on Monday, 25th September (kick-off 7pm BST).

Newcastle United Under-23s: Dan Langley, Ryan Barrett, Charlie Wiggett, Remi Savage, Matt Bondswell, Lucas De Bolle (Reagan Thomson 85), Jack Young (c), Jay Turner-Cooke (Josh Scott 83), Joe White, Adam Wilson (Rosaire Longelo 74), Dylan Stephenson.

Subs not used: Brad Cross, Max Thompson.