Newcastle's youngsters fell behind inside 48 seconds through Kris Moore's header at the Thorp Arch Training Ground before responding in quick fashion through Josh Scott's composed equaliser, the 20-year-old's fourth goal in his last six league matches at second-string level.

Max Dean's second-half brace, netting twice in the space of two minutes, turned the Division Two encounter in the hosts' favour and despite Harry Barclay's close-range strike halving the deficit, the defender's first goal at under-21 level, Dean completed his hat-trick to condemn the young Magpies to a first league defeat since August.

Elliott Dickman made one change from the side which claimed a 1-1 draw against local rivals Sunderland last week as Nathan Carlyon, who signed his first professional contract for his boyhood club in the summer of 2021, replaced the suspended Jay Turner-Cooke after the South Shields-born midfielder was sent off against the Black Cats at St. James' Park.

Newcastle's second-string got off to a disappointing start as, within the opening minute, Kris Moore sent Leeds in front as the teenage centre-back rose high from Charlie Allen's teasing cross from the right wing before guiding his header beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Jude Smith.

Despite the early setback, Newcastle responded in strong fashion as Scott continued his positive goalscoring run in the Premier League 2, racing onto Jamie Miley's inviting lofted pass before calmly slotting the ball past Leeds 'keeper Kristoffer Klaesson.

Smith, who joined Newcastle from Scottish League Two side East Fife last summer, produced an impressive save to deny Morten Spencer as the Coatbridge-born shot-stopper turned away the midfielder's goalbound free-kick with a strong left hand.

Isaac Westendorf went close to sending Newcastle ahead as the Bremen-born striker, who joined Newcastle in January 2022 following an impressive trial at under-21 level, latched onto Miley's pass before his attempt at goal deflected narrowly wide of the target.

After a slow start to the opening half, Newcastle found themselves behind four minutes after the restart as Dean sent Leeds ahead. After Klaesson threw the ball towards Cody Drameh on the right flank, the Leeds full-back delivered a curling pass into Dean's path, who beat Barclay to the loose ball before prodding the ball into the net.

In the 51st minute, Newcastle were dealt a further blow as Dean extended the Whites' advantage. As the visitors to play out from the back, Alex Murphy's pass was dispossessed by Joe Snowdon, the 18-year-old played the ball to Dean who rolled the ball into an empty net.

In the 63rd minute, Barclay restored hope for the young Magpies to salvage a comeback as the Ashington-born defender, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last summer, placed a low first-time effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

Leeds, occupying top spot in Division Two, regained their two-goal cushion four minutes later as Dean completed an 18-minute hat-trick, latching onto a teasing pass behind the United defence before slotting a low shot past Smith.

Smith produced an excellent stop to prevent the Division Two leaders from netting a fifth of the afternoon, denying Snowdon from close-range after Cian Coleman threaded a teasing pass into the penalty area.

With their Premier League 2 campaign put on hold until the new year, Newcastle United Under-21s turn their attention to Premier League Cup action when they travel to Bristol City for their opening Group E fixture on Monday, 14th November (kick-off 1pm GMT).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Harry Barclay, Niall Brookwell (Charlie Wiggett 60), Alex Murphy, Matt Bondswell, Jamie Miley, Nathan Carlyon (James Huntley 69), Joe White, Josh Scott (Cameron Ferguson 80), Dylan Stephenson, Isaac Westendorf (Amadou Diallo 69).

Subs not used: Will Brown.