After keeping the Tykes at bay for the majority of the Northern Section Group E clash, with United goalkeeper Jude Smith making a string of key saves, Jack Butterfill's close-range drive opened the scoring in the closing stages before Ziyad Larkeche's impressive free-kick doubled the hosts' advantage.

The young Magpies now must win their final group game against Lincoln City and hope group opponents Doncaster Rovers defeat Barnsley in order to progress into the knockout stages of the competition. 

Newcastle's youngsters had begun their trophy trail with a point against Doncaster Rovers last month, with the young Magpies missing out on a further bonus point following a penalty shoot-out defeat against the League Two outfit. 

Elliott Dickman made two changes from the side which claimed a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest's second-string in the Premier League 2 on Friday night as Charlie Wiggett replaced the injured Remi Savage whilst Alex Murphy's international call-up for Republic of Ireland at under-19 level resulted in a first start of the season at under-21 level for teenage midfielder Ellis Stanton.

The visitors almost got off to the prefect start against the Tykes as Jay Turner-Cooke - who travelled with the Magpies' first-team squad to pre-season trips in Austria and Portugal last summer - went close to opening the scoring.

After Matt Bondswell threaded a neat pass into Kyle Crossley's path, the left winger fired a teasing pass towards Turner-Cooke on the edge of the box but the 18-year-old attacking midfielder drilled a fierce effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Turner-Cooke and Crossley combined once again in the first-half, with the former brilliantly controlling a high ball before firing a delightful through ball into his teammates' path but the 18-year-old forward, who scored on his under-21s debut at the age of 16 in April 2021, saw his shot blocked following a last-ditch challenge by Jasper Moon.

Jude Smith, who joined United's academy from Scottish League Two side East Fife last month, produced an important stop to deny Slobodan Tedić as the Manchester City loanee's low strike inside the penalty area was tipped behind by the Scottish teenager.

The following corner saw Barnsley hit the crossbar as Joe Ackroyd's firm header struck the woodwork before bouncing to safety.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Tedić continued to cause the United defence problems as the Serbian turned Ziyad Larkeche's low cross wide of the right-hand post.

In the second-half, Joe White - who made his Newcastle first-team debut in July 2021 - went close to netting an impressive solo effort as the 19-year-old Cumbrian, advanced into the box from the left flank after nutmegging Hondermarcker but his scuffed shot was held by Barnsley goalkeeper Jamie Searle. 

Smith was on hand to deny Tedić as the Coatbridge-born shot-stopper parried the 22-year-old's shot in the six-yard area, with the alert Bondswell heading the ball away from danger.

The busy goalkeeper completed another key save minutes later, standing tall to block Josh Martin's powerful drive towards goal as the Norwich City loanee latched onto a loose ball inside the box.

Barnsley, who finished bottom of the Championship table last term, continued to threaten the Newcastle backline as Hondermarck's stinging volley was spilled by Smith but Martin's rebound was flagged for offside despite Smith saving the effort.

In the 79th minute, Barnsley opened the scoring through Butterfill. After Larkeche's intended shot at goal deflected kindly into the substitutes' path, the senior debutant was able to fire a powerful effort past Smith inside the penalty area.

Six minutes later, Newcastle fell further behind as Larkeche struck a stunning free-kick into the top left-hand corner, leaving Smith with very little chance of keeping the ball out of the net.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Nathan Carlyon (Harry Barclay 87), Charlie Wiggett, Niall Brookwell (c), Matt Bondswell, Ellis Stanton (Cameron Ferguson 87), Jay Turner-Cooke, Joe White, Josh Scott (Ben Parkinson 80), Kyle Crossley (Jordan Hackett 72), Dylan Stephenson.

Subs not used: Will Brown, Ciaran Thompson, Scott Bailey.

Photograph couresty of Shutterstock