Amadou Diallo's penalty opened the scoring in the closing stages of the first half at the EcoGiants Stadium, home of non-league outfit Clitheroe, with the left winger cooly dispatching his attempt from 12 yards after Ben Parkinson was initially brought down by Will Johnson.

However, Nathan Pond's second half header levelled the cup contest and despite United's efforts for a late winner in Lancashire, with Anthony Munda and Trevan Sanusi both narrowly firing wide of the target in the closing stages, the spoils were ultimately shared.

United's second-string were targeting a victory to lift themselves into second place of Group F and faced a Fleetwood side who claimed a 2-2 draw against the young Magpies in the reverse fixture at Whitley Park, netting a 93rd minute equaliser that afternoon.

Newcastle captain Cathal Heffernan, who joined the Magpies last summer following his departure from AC Milan, produced an important interception inside his own box to prevent Sam Fishburn converting from Maleace Asamoah's teasing cross from the right flank before the loose ball was collected by Irish goalkeeper Reece Byrne. 

Byrne, who arrived at St. James' Park from League of Ireland Premier Division outfit Bohemians, produced a key save to deny Fishburn after the Fleetwood forward latched onto Pele Smith's pass but the resulting effort was turned out for a corner by the Irishman's chest.  

United's youngsters went close to breaking the deadlock minutes later as Diallo, who made his Premier League debut for the Magpies during a 4-1 win against Chelsea at St. James' Park in November, collected Travis Hernes' pass and after dangerously cutting inside from the left flank, saw his fierce effort from the edge of the box deflected wide for a corner.

Ciaran Thompson, who signed his first professional contract for his boyhood club in the summer of 2023, went narrowly close to scoring his first goal at under-21 level rising high from Dylan Charlton's in-swinging corner before glancing his header wide of the left-hand post.

In the 41st minute, Newcastle took the lead as Diallo netted from the penalty spot. After the 20-year-old winger produced a surging run before finding Ben Parkinson inside the box, the Durham-born teenager was bundled over by Johnson, leaving Diallo to drill his effort from 12 yards into the top left-hand corner.

In the 67th minute, Fleetwood drew level through Pond's fortunate finish as the ball bounced off the 39-year-old defender's head inside the box, following Asamoah's free-kick from the right flank, before trickling into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newcastle almost restored their one-goal cushion in swift fashion as Diallo's teasing cross from the right flank struck Johnson's head before striking the base of the right-hand post.

Anthony Munda almost marked his first start for Newcastle at under-21 level by sending the visitors ahead but the Cowgate-born midfielder, a representative of England at under-18 level, drilled his effort from Trevan Sanusi's cutback over the crossbar.

Sanusi, who joined Newcastle from hometown club Birmingham City last summer, missed a glorious opportunity to fire United ahead in stoppage-time as the substitute arrived at the back post following Diallo's inviting low cross into the box but the 16-year-old winger steered his first-time effort narrowly wide of the target.

Newcastle continued their search for a much-needed winning goal as Leo Shahar's free-kick found its way to Ellis Stanton inside the box but the Magpies substitute steered his header over the crossbar.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Reece Byrne, Leo Shahar, Cathal Heffernan (c), Ciaran Thompson, Dylan Charlton, Nathan Carlyon (Ellis Stanton 76), Travis Hernes, Anthony Munda, Kyle Crossley (Trevan Sanusi 76), Amadou Diallo, Ben Parkinson (James Huntley 76).

Subs not used: Jordan Hackett, Jude Smith.