The Sweden international defender played 45 minutes, as planned before the game, in what was his first appearance since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Tranmere Rovers in the Carabao Cup 13 months ago.

With team-mates including Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Sean Longstaff and Matt Ritchie in the stands to support him, plus head coach Eddie Howe watching on, Krafth was typically solid at right-back.

He almost made it a fairytale comeback as he sent a long-range drive narrowly off target in the 21st minute, as well as sending another shot from the edge of the area wide.

Before that, inside the opening ten minutes, midfielder James Huntley had cut the ball back from the left and Dylan Stephenson, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Scottish Championship side Hamilton Academical, stabbed wide for United.

In the 34th minute, the visitors' Ateef Konate jinked inside from the right before firing wide of the near post before, shortly before half time, Kyle Crossley rifled home for the Magpies after Remi Savage's header had been kept out by goalkeeper Will Brook. 

Former West Ham youngster Amadou Diallo sent over a perfect cross for Savage, whose effort was parried but only as far as Crossley, who joined United's Academy from Morecambe in 2020, and his finish was powerful and accurate. 

But - after Krafth departed the action - Forest came out strongly in the second period and equalised through Brandon Aguilera on the hour mark, as he drilled home from 20 yards with a left-footed strike.

An acrobatic effort from Konate was easily gathered by Jude Smith, the Newcastle netminder, before a similarly audacious attempt at the other end from Stephenson whistled just past the post.

Then substitute Ben Parkinson was denied by a last-ditch block from Justin Hanks, before Josh Powell made a vital goal-line clearance moments later. 

As Newcastle piled on the pressure, Savage just failed to connect properly at the far post to a deep Jamie Miley corner, and captain Miley was denied from close range by Brook in the dying seconds, meaning the game ended all square.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Emil Krafth (Charlie Wiggett 46), Josh Scott, Remi Savage, Cathal Heffernan, Nathan Carlyon, Kyle Crossley (Dylan Charlton 80), Jamie Miley (c), Dylan Stephenson, James Huntley (Ben Parkinson 65), Amado Diallo

Subs not used: Will Brown, Charlie McArthur