The Toon teenagers conceded before the half-time whistle following Matty Whittingham's strike before Joel Ndala's chip doubled City's lead shortly after the restart.

However, the young Magpies halved the deficit through George Murray-Jones' own goal before Emerson drew the hosts level in the dying seconds to secure a point in Graeme Carrick's first match in charge as Newcastle's under-18s coach.  

In the 38th minute, City - targeting a fourth successive Under-18 Premier League title - opened the scoring as Whittingham latched onto Ashton Muir's pull-back before firing his effort into net from the edge of the penalty area.

Whittingham struck the woodwork for the visitors in the second-half before City doubled their advantage in the 57th minute as Ndala met Whittingham's cross before delicately lifting the ball over Newcastle goalkeeper Aidan Harris.

Newcastle pulled a goal back in fortunate fashion as a defensive mix-up in the City backline led to a mistake from Murray-Jones, with the teenage goalkeeper putting the ball in the back of his own net.   

United's youngsters continued their push for an equaliser and were rewarded for their attacking efforts as Emerson grabbed a late leveller.

Deep into added time, the Cumbrian youngster - who played his youth football at Queen of the South and Annan Athletic - took the ball beyond Murray-Jones before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Aidan Harris, Callum McNally (Munda 65), Dylan Charlton (Harry Powell 90), Scott Bailey, Ciaran Thompson, Charlie McArthur (c), Lucas Cooper (Beau Beresford 83), Ellis Stanton, Ben Parkinson (Shaun Mavididi 65), Lewis Miley, Johnny Emerson.

Subs not used: Taylor Ross.