The young Magpies trailed inside six minutes of the Division Two clash following Kershaw's impressive finish from the edge of the penalty area before Michael Ndiweni received a red card in the early stages of the second-half following two bookable offences.

United's youngsters were then reduced to nine men as Matt Bondswell, who featured for United's first-team during pre-season friendlies against Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Club, was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Elliott Dickman made two changes to the side which suffered a 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion last week as Ndiweni, who scored from the substitutes' bench against the Baggies, was handed a start along with Jordan Hackett, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from Tottenham Hotspur last month.

Newcastle conceded two goals in the closing stages against Albion but fell behind in the sixth minute as Kershaw let fly from 20 yards, with the debutant's shot flying into the top left-hand corner, despite Newcastle goalkeeper Max Thompson's efforts to claw the ball away.

Santiago Muñoz, who made his Newcastle first-team debut as a second-half substitute in the Magpies' 2-1 victory against Athletic Club at St. James' Park, almost drew the hosts level as the Mexico Under-23 international - who celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday - fired a fierce effort over the crossbar.

Ndiweni, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club in July, was unfortunate not to level the encounter as the Throckley-born striker latched onto Jordan Hackett's low cross but was unable to steer the ball into the net from close-range.

United found themselves down to ten men four minutes after the restart as Ndiweni, already booked, committed a foul on Stoke goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu, forcing refere David Richardson into brandishing a second yellow card to the 18-year-old forward.

Thompson, who has represented England at under-18 level, produced an important save to prevent Kershaw and City doubling their tally as the 18-year-old shot-stopper got down quickly to keep out the forward's low shot destined for the bottom left-hand corner before holding the loose ball.

Newcastle's youngsters were dealt a further blow in their bid to draw level as Bondswell was dismissed for a foul on Stoke winger Kaurel Redding, receiving his marching orders having picked up an earlier yellow card for dissent.

Alex Murphy, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from hometown club Galway United in July, went close to registering his first competitive goal for Newcastle's under-21s as the Irish defender raced onto a through ball before his shot at goal was blocked by the chest of Nna Noukeu.

Kyle Crossley was introduced from the bench in the closing stages and the 18-year-old winger almost made an instant impact. After the Potters failed to clear the ball to safety, the Murton-born teenager rifled a vicious shot towards goal but Nna Noukeu turned the ball away from danger.

Murphy prevented City from extending their lead in stoppage-time as the 18-year-old centre-back denied Kershaw with a heroic goal-line clearance but his efforts were ultimately to no avail as Stoke claimed maximum points. 

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson, Nathan Carlyon (Kyle Crossley 83), Niall Brookwell (c), Alex Murphy, Matt Bondswell, Lucas de Bolle, Jay Turner-Cooke, Dylan Stephenson, Jordan Hackett (Charlie Wiggett 46), Santiago Muñoz (Charlie Wiggett 46), Michael Ndiweni.

Subs not used: Will Brown, James Huntley.