Mansfield Town 2 Newcastle United Under-21s 2 (Newcastle win 5-3 on pens) | OneFootball

Cathal Heffernan's close-range finish fired the young Magpies into an early lead at the One Call Stadium before Max Dickov's strike levelled the scoring for the League One outfit before the half-time break.

Newcastle's youngsters trailed after the hour mark following Finn Flanagan's second-half header before Ollie Taylor's stoppage-time own goal, turning the ball into the net from Charlie McArthur's cross-cum shot, sent the Northern Group F encounter to a penalty shoot-out.

United's second-string netted five impressive spot-kicks in the shoot-out, with Dom Dwyer's failed conversion for the hosts ultimately resulting in a valuable bonus point for United's second-string.

Under-21s Lead Coach Adam Lawrence named an unchanged starting XI from last week's 3-1 win against Boston United in the National League Cup while Mansfield, occupying 12th place in the English third tier, fielded three full internationals.

Sean Neave, who scored a first-half hat-trick against Boston, went close to opening the scoring as the Winlaton-born forward completed a lengthy run from inside his own half before his resulting effort inside the box was blocked out for a corner by Mansfield full-back Taylor Anderson.

In the fourth minute, Newcastle's youngsters took the lead from the resulting set-piece through Heffernan as the Magpies captain latched onto a loose ball inside a crowded penalty area, following Seung-soo Park's inviting corner, before placing the ball beyond Stags goalkeeper Owen Mason.

United goalkeeper James Taylor maintained the visitors' one-goal cushion shortly after, pushing away George Maris' volley for a corner after the Mansfield midfielder's initial shot was bravely blocked by Heffernan.

The Kettering-born teenager was alert once more, turning Joe Gardner's dangerous drive from the edge of the box out for a corner after the latter dispossessed Neave in a dangerous position.

In the 24th minute, though, Mansfield drew level through Dickov as the Town winger collected Gardner's pass and, after cutting inside on the edge of the penalty area, drilled a powerful effort into the bottom right-hand corner.

United's youngsters headed into the break on level terms although Taylor was forced into an important stop on the stroke of half-time, keeping out Dom Dwyer's close-range header before Magpies midfielder Alfie Harrison importantly cleared the loose ball away from danger.

Newcastle created a bright opening in the second-half as Park and Neave combined neatly down the left flank before the latter dragged his attempt at goal wide of the right-hand post.

Taylor produced a key stop to prevent the visitors from falling behind, standing tall to beat away Gardner's fierce effort towards the 'keeper's front post.

Park went close to netting his first goal for Newcastle's under-21 side as the South Korea Under-20 international, who joined the Magpies from K League 2 side Suwon Bluewings last summer, collected Neave's pass before his resulting shot was pushed away by Mason.

Newcastle were dealt a crushing blow in the 67th minute as Flanagan scored for the Stags, rising high from Lewis' teasing corner before guiding the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Sam Alabi, who made his under-21s debut in last week's 3-1 win against Boston, attempted to draw Newcastle level in swift fashion as the 16-year-old substitute's long-range drive was comfortably held by Mason.

Mansfield hit the post as Gardner's strike from the edge of the box squirmed underneath Taylor but, to the goalkeeper's relief, the ball bounced onto the inside of the post before claiming the loose ball.

Alabi, who has captained England at under-17 level, went agonisingly close to scoring his first goal at second-string level as the highly-rated youngster cut inside from the right flank before his deflected shot flew narrowly wide of the far post.

Newcastle drew level in the second of five stoppage-time minutes through Taylor's own goal. After McArthur raced onto Park's excellent pass, the Scottish defender's cross from the byline deflected off Taylor before finding the back of the net.

Targeting a bonus point in the shoot-out, Newcastle netted their first four penalties, with Neave, Alabi, Joe Brayson and Park all converting from 12 yards and after Dwyer blazed Mansfield's second penalty over the bar, McArthur was left to dispatch the winning penalty.

Newcastle United Under-21s: James Taylor, Cathal Heffernan (c), Ciaran Thompson, Charlie McArthur, Alfie Harrison (Mohamed Waddani 84), Scott Bailey (Joe Brayson 84), Anthony Munda, Sean Neave, Park Seung-soo, Miodrag Pivaš, Kacey Wooster (Sam Alabi 58).

Subs not used: Adam Harrison, Dylan Charlton, Fraser Harper, Logan Watts.