Nottingham Forest Under-21s 2 Newcastle United Under-21s 3 | OneFootball

United's second-string fell behind in the opening minutes at the Loughborough University Stadium following Zyan Blake's strike before netting three times in the first-half courtesy of goals from Johnny Emerson, Garang Kuol and Sean Neave.

Kyle McAdam's second-half finish for the hosts set up a nervy finale but the young Magpies held firm, with goalkeeper Aidan Harris producing a vital stoppage-time stop, and will secure their place in the Premier League 2 play-offs with a victory in next week's penultimate league game against Reading at St. James' Park.

Targeting a third Premier League 2 win in a row, Newcastle's youngsters conceded in the fifth minute through Blake's effort as the Forest striker glanced a first-time effort from Jack Nadin's low cross beyond Harris.

Harris, who signed his first professional contract with United last summer, produced a key stop minutes later to prevent Joel Ndala from doubling the hosts' lead, importantly tipping the ball over the crossbar following the Forest winger's stinging drive.

In the 13th minute, Newcastle drew level through Emerson. After Harris' long kick was brilliantly held up by Neave, the Winlaton-born teenager managed to tee up Emerson inside the box before the Carlisle-born winger, who made his first-team debut for Eddie Howe's side during a pre-season friendly against Hull City last summer, drove a first-time shot into the net.

Harris was on hand to deny Kyle McAdam from close-range after the Forest skipper's powerful drive inside the box was beaten away by the Houghton-le-Spring-born shot-stopper before the ball was hacked away to safety.

In the 37th minute, Kuol fired Newcastle in front as the Cairo-born youngster, who represented Australia at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, directed a low effort from the edge of the box into the bottom left-hand corner, a sixth goal in his last ten competitive outings at under-21 level.

The young Magpies doubled their advantage three minutes later as Neave, who was named on the bench for the Magpies' Carabao Cup final victory against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, netted his fourth goal in as many Premier League 2 matches, driving into the penalty area after Emerson initially won possession before confidently lifting the ball over George Murray-Jones.

In the second-half, Kuol went close to extending United's lead further after Dylan Charlton's pass in-behind the Forest defence found the former but his resulting shot at goal was blocked by Tricky Trees goalkeeper George Murray-Jones.

Forest pulled a goal back in the 69th minute through McAdam as a dangerous attack resulted in the Forest skipper lashing a fierce effort beyond Harris inside the box.

With the full-time whistle nearing, Harris produced a crucial stop to prevent Frank Djamna from equalising in the dying minutes. After the Forest substitute raced through clear on goal, the teenage goalkeeper parried the resulting effort with his leg before the rebound was heroically blocked by Magpies left-back Dylan Charlton on the byline.

The victory lifts Diarmuid O'Carroll's side into tenth place of the 26-team division on 29 points, with the top 12 sides also qualifying for next season's Premier League International Cup.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Aidan Harris, Leo Shahar (Rory Powell 61), Cathal Heffernan (c), Ciaran Thompson, Dylan Charlton, Rory Finneran (Alfie Harrison 70), Anthony Munda, Johnny Emerson (Matheos Ferreira 78), Garang Kuol, Jay Turner-Cooke, Sean Neave (Josh Donaldson 46).

Subs not used: James Taylor.