FC Halifax Town 0 Newcastle United Under-21s 0 (FC Halifax Town win 7-6 on pens) | OneFootball

Newcastle's second-string, requiring a victory after 90 minutes at The Shay to progress into the quarter-final stages, kept the National League outfit at bay for the majority of their final Group D clash, despite former Magpie Jay Turner-Cooke hitting the crossbar for the hosts, before Miodrag Pivaš agonisingly struck the woodwork in the closing stages.

United's youngsters were unable to gain an additional consolation point in the penalty shoot-out, with Joe Brayson and Darren Palmer both denied from the spot by Halifax goalkeeper Nat Ford and despite Magpies 'keeper James Taylor saving two spot-kicks, Zak Emmerson netted the decisive penalty after Ciaran Thompson struck the crossbar from 12 yards.

Adam Lawrence made six changes from the side which suffered a 2-0 away defeat against Scunthorpe United a fortnight ago, with the likes of Sean Neave, Ben Parkinson and Pivaš all returning to the starting 11.

The young Magpies created the opening goalscoring opportunity of the contest as Parkinson, who made his Premier League debut for the Magpies away at AFC Bournemouth during the 2023/24 campaign, connected with Charlie McArthur's low cross from the left flank but could only steer a first-time effort over the crossbar.

Parkinson, who joined United's Academy as a seven-year-old, was unable to break the deadlock towards the latter stages of the first half as the Durham-born forward latched onto Seung-soo Park's lofted cross into the penalty area but directed his attempted volley into the ground before the ball bounced wide of the left-hand post.

After Magpies midfielder Anthony Munda was withdrawn towards the hour mark due to a hip injury, United prevented the hosts from taking the lead as Jack Jenkins completed a dangerous run towards goal before his cross was turned towards goal, bravely blocked by the United defence, before Turner-Cooke steered his rebound over the crossbar.

Newcastle went close to taking the lead as an inviting corner found Cathal Heffernan at the back post, with the Irish centre-back's header towards goal half cleared by the Halifax defence before Alfie Harrison, introduced from the bench, saw a fierce effort blocked inside a crowded penalty area.

The hosts struck the crossbar shortly after as Turner-Cooke's curling free-kick from distance crashed onto the woodwork before the Magpies defence were able to clear the ball to safety.

With the full-time whistle nearing, and the prospect of a penalty shoot-out, Miodrag Pivaš hit the crossbar in unfortunate fashion as Harrison's teasing cross towards the back post was only cleared into the Serbian's path but the defender slammed a first-time effort onto the underside of the crossbar inside the box before Newcastle substitute Joe Brayson headed a close-range rebound onto the roof of the net.

In the penalty shoot-out, Newcastle's first two penalties were calmly dispatched by Harrison and Parkinson, with Halifax pair Will Harris and Jevon Mills also netting from 12 yards, before Joe Brayson's spot-kick was saved by Nat Ford, who guessed the correct way.

Despite Scott Bailey and Charlie McArthur both converting from 12 yards, successful spot-kicks from Adam Adetoro and Jenkins left David Kawa with the opportunity to score the winning penalty but Taylor guessed the correct way to push away the powerful drive at goal.

Dylan Charlton and Heffernan both scored from the spot for United's youngsters but Thompson, United's ninth penalty taker of the night, drilled his attempt from 12 yards onto the crossbar, allowing Emmerson to dispatch the decisive spot-kick for the Shaymen.

Newcastle United Under-21s: James Taylor, Ciaran Thompson, Charlie McArthur, Cathal Heffernan (c), Miodrag Pivaš, Scott Bailey, Kyle Fitzgerald (Dylan Charlton 80), Anthony Munda (Alfie Harrison 59), Ben Parkinson, Sean Neave (Joe Brayson 67), Seung-soo Park (Darren Palmer 67).

Subs not used: Logan Watts, Tyler Jones, Baran Yildiz.