The young Magpies fell behind in their opening Northern Section Group B clash at the STōk Cae Ras following Sam Dalby’s close-range finish, but were unfortunate not to draw level before the half-time break, with Dylan Stephenson and Amadou Diallo going close to levelling on numerous occasions.

United’s youngsters were unable to find an all-important equaliser they arguably deserved, with teenage striker Ben Parkinson firing narrowly wide in stoppage-time as the English fourth tier side secured maximum points.

With a number of youngsters away on international duty for their repsective countries at youth level, Ben Dawson made four changes from last weekend’s Premier League 2 defeat against Manchester City, with 16-year-old goalkeeper Aidan Harris making his debut for United’s under-21 side.

There were also starts for defensive duo Charlie Wiggett and Jordan Hackett as well as James Huntley whilst teenage midfielder Travis Hernes, who joined the Magpies from Shrewsbury Town on Friday, was named on the substitutes’ bench to face the Red Dragons, who lifted the National League title last season.

In front of 7,988 spectators, including 285 travelling away fans, Wrexham broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Dalby's clinical finish.

After Harris was unable to gather a loose ball in the penalty area, Billy Waters’ two shots in quick succession were both heroically blocked on the goalline by Charlie Wiggett before Dalby tucked home the rebound beyond a group of United defenders into the net.

Despite the setback, Newcastle responded courageously and were left appealing for a penalty minutes later as Ben Parkinson was bundled over inside the box by Wrexham full-back Callum McFadzean but referee Tom Parsons waved away the decision to the frustration of the Durham-born forward.

Stephenson, who scored his first senior goal for his boyhood club during a 5-0 Diriyah Season Cup win against Al Hilal in December 2022, missed a glorious opportunity to draw United level after excellently controlling a lofted through ball but the Blyth-born striker blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Diallo, who joined the Magpies’ Academy in October 2022 following a successful trial, took his turn in front of goal as the London-born winger cut inside from the left flank before his following effort deflected over the bar whilst the resulting corner saw Stephenson saw a fierce drive at goal blocked by George Evans.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Diallo forced Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo into a key save after the 20-year-old forward’s curling effort from the edge of the box was pushed out for a corner by the Arsenal loanee.

Newcastle were fortunate not to concede shortly after the restart as Max Cleworth combined with Anthony Forde on the right wing before his eventual strike flew over the crossbar to the relief of the United squad.

Stephenson was unable to draw Newcastle level after controlling Diallo’s neat pass, following a promising run by the latter, but the 20-year-old’s attempt at goal was sliced wide of the left-hand post.

Tom O’Connor almost doubled Wrexham’s advantage as the Red Dragons substitute’s ferocious free-kick from the edge of the box cannoned off the crossbar before Harris was quickly forced into an impressive save, tipping James Jones’ header over his own bar.

Parkinson, who made his Newcastle first-team debut during a 3-2 pre-season friendly win against Gateshead, went agonisingly close to levelling in the final seconds of the match as Lucas De Bolle threaded a delightful pass into the teenager’s path but his resulting strike flashed inches wide of the far left-hand post.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Aidan Harris, Charlie Wiggett, Ciaran Thompson, Remi Savage, Jordan Hackett (Josh Scott 82), Nathan Carlyon (Lucas De Bolle 75), Jamie Miley (c) (Ellis Stanton 75), James Huntley (Travis Hernes 67), Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Dylan Stephenson (Kyle Crossley 82).

Subs not used: Will Brown, Luke Craggs.

Photograph courtesy of Wrexham AFC