Josh Scott's close-range strike broke the deadlock for the young Magpies at Whitley Park before the Gateshead-born teenager's tap-in doubled his and the hosts' advantage shortly after the restart, capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake from George Shelvey.

Despite Jude Smith's heroics in-between the sticks throughout the Division Two clash, producing a string of important saves to preserve the hosts' advantage, Loïc Mbe Soh's close-range header set up a tense finale before United's youngsters withstood a late fightback from the visitors to record maximum points.

Elliott Dickman made three changes to the side which suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat against Doncaster Rovers in the Papa John's Trophy as Niall Brookwell returned to the starting line-up, captaining United's second-string, while left-back Matt Bondswell, a former youth product of Forest's academy, and Scott were named in the starting eleven.

United's youngsters were aiming for successive Premier League 2 victories on home soil following a convincing 4-0 win against their Derby County counterparts and faced a Forest side winless in their opening three league fixtures whilst conceding 12 goals in the process.

Brookwell almost sent Newcastle's youngsters ahead as the Wigan-born defender, who joined the Magpies' youth setup from Liverpool in the summer of 2020, produced a clever turn before his strike flew straight into the hands of George Shelvey.

In the 12th minute, Newcastle took the lead as Scott netted his first goal of the season at under-21 level. After Jay Turner-Cooke's floating free-kick was nodded into Remi Savage's path by fellow centre-back Alex Murphy, the former's header was parried by Shelvey into Scott's path, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Smith, who joined Newcastle from Scottish League Two side East Fife last month, produced a strong save to deny Dale Taylor, getting down low to turn the striker's effort away from goal before the Coatbridge-born shot-stopper turning away a second attempt at goal by the Northern Irishman with his leg.

The Scottish goalkeeper, who began his career at Celtic's youth ranks, continued his hopes for a third successive clean sheet at second-string level after diving at the feet of Taylor to deny the forward from taking the ball around the 19-year-old 'keeper.

Scott almost doubled his and United's tally as the Gateshead-born teenager, capable of playing in defence as well as midfield, curled a low shot towards the left-hand corner, forcing Shelvey into turning the ball around the far post.

Kyle Crossley was unable to score his third goal in as many competitive outings at under-21 level as the left-winger latched onto Savage's lofted pass before lifting his effort wide of the target.

In the 52nd minute, Newcastle doubled their lead in fortunate circumstances as Shelvey failed to clear the ball to safety, with his unfortunate slip leaving Scott on hand to tap the ball into an empty net.

In the 71st minute, Forest halved the deficit through Mbe Soh as the former Paris Saint-Germain defender guided a close-range header into the right-hand corner following Ateef Konaté's teasing cross from the left flank.

Forest almost found themselves on level terms in the closing stages as Reds substitute Ryan Hammond managed to get in-behind the United defence but fired his attempt into the side-netting.

The visitors continued to threaten in the final minutes of the league encounter, with Savage producing a sliding last-ditch challenge inside the penalty area and Konaté firing a wild effort over the crossbar but United's second-string saw out the match to seal successive home victories.

Newcastle United Under-21s turn their attention to Papa John's Trophy action on Tuesday night when face League One outfit Barnsley at Oakwell in their next Northern Section Group E clash (kick-off 7pm BST).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Niall Brookwell (c) (Charlie Wiggett 64), Remi Savage, Alex Murphy, Matt Bondswell (Jordan Hackett 64), Nathan Carlyon, Jay Turner-Cooke, Josh Scott (Cameron Ferguson 87), Kyle Crossley, Joe White (Ellis Stanton 90), Dylan Stephenson.

Sub not used: Will Brown.