The young Magpies fell behind towards the latter stages of the first-half following Wareham’s close-range header at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals were reduced to ten men on the hour-mark as Jack Senga picked up a second bookable offence but, despite their advantage, United’s second-string were unable to find an all-important goal as Reading held on for maximum points in Berkshire.

Ben Dawson made three changes from the side which suffered a 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday as Irish centre-back Cathal Heffernan, who joined the Magpies this week following his departure from AC Milan, was handed his Magpies debut at under-21 level.

Nathan Carlyon, who missed last weekend’s trip to Spurs due to suspension, returned to the starting XI in place of Lewis Miley while James Huntley, who scored United’s consolation goal against Tottenham, replaced Jay Turner-Cooke following the teenage winger’s loan move to Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.

Magpies goalkeeper Jude Smith, who joined Newcastle from Scottish League Two side East Fife in August 2022, was forced into an early save after Wareham latched onto Jeremiah Okine-Peter’s through ball but the Scotland under-21 international stood strong to block the goalbound effort.

Smith, who began his career in Celtic’s youth ranks, was required to make an important stop once again after the lively Wareham’s fizzing shot inside the penalty area was strongly kept out by the Coatbridge-born youngster.

In the 40th minute, Reading took the lead as Wareham connected with Sam Paul’s teasing in-swinging cross before heading the ball home from close-range.

The hosts were forced to play the remaining 30 minutes with ten men as Senga picked up a second yellow card, with Newcastle piling players forward in the hope of an equaliser.

Twelve minutes of stoppage-time were awarded but Newcastle were unable to break a resilient Royals defence in the final stages, with the Royals recording three points at the young Magpies’ expense.

Newcastle United: Jude Smith, Charlie Wiggett (Dylan Stephenson 63), Charlie McArthur (Jordan Hackett 86), Cathal Heffernan (Ellis Stanton 86), Alex Murphy, Nathan Carlyon (c), Jamie Miley, James Huntley, Joe White, Amadou Diallo, Ben Parkinson (Kyle Crossley 90).

Subs not used: Aidan Harris.