Newcastle United U21 striker Sean Neave scored a 91st minute equaliser to claim the Young Magpies their first point in the Premier League 2, drawing 2-2 to Birmingham City on Friday.
The first half was uneventful, only seeing two yellow cards for Toon midfielder Alfie Harrison, and Birmingham City midfielder Aurelien Guernier before hot prospect Trevan Sanusi was forced off with an injury 24 minutes in.
A blow for the exciting winger, especially with Ligue 1 sides Le Havre and Auxerre linked with loan bids for the England youth international in recent days.
Just after the break, Scottish defender Charlie McArthur gave Newcastle the lead, with Alfie Harrison ading another assist to his tally this season. The Scotsman met Harrison’s corner and thumped it into the back of the net 49 minutes in.
Birmingham equalised just nine minutes later through 18 year old Briar Bateman, scoring his second goal of the season. The Blues then pulled ahead, as Guernier scored a penalty in the 79th minute to make it 2-1.
Just when all hope seemed lost, local lad Sean Neave got onto the end of a sublime pass from Joe Brayson, slotting past the goalkeeper from close range to rescue a point on the road. Neave has scored three goals from four so far for 2025/26, making him the current top goal scorer within our Under-21s.
The second string have reinforcements on the way, as the club have agreed to sign Vakhtang Salia from Georgian club Dinamo Tbilisi, who will join the squad today on his 18th birthday.
Adam Lawrence will also start work as the Under-21s’ new lead coach from Monday, with the 38-year-old agreeing to join from Man Utd after huge success with their Under-18s.