O'Carroll "delighted" as young Magpies secure National League Cup quarter-final spot | OneFootball

Four goals were netted inside the opening half-hour at the Gateshead International Stadium as strikes from Alfie Harrison and Josh Donaldson were cancelled out by Jovan Malcolm and Callum Tripp.

Requiring a victory to keep their hopes of progressing into the last eight alive, Garang Kuol's second-half penalty restored United's one-goal cushion before Darren Palmer's header, the 19-year-old's first goal at under-21 level, proved crucial as Newcastle's youngsters ultimately topped Group C via goal difference.

"We're delighted," O'Carroll told newcastleunited.com: "There's been a bit of change in the squad, losing a bit of experience with loans and having first-team players down for the first-half of the season so we've challenged a few of them to step up and try to be big players so credit to the boys.

"They had a bloody nose at Southampton on Friday, not playing very well (following a 4-2 defeat), so were told they needed to up it. They've done well and deserved it.

"We tweaked a little bit in terms of our system and the way we pressed. They listened, took it on board and it worked really well so that's all you can ask. They're young lads, make mistakes and have bad days but we're asking them to be big players now in the second-half of the season."

Newcastle's second-string have enjoyed victories against FC Halifax Town, Tamworth and Gateshead during this season's competition and O'Carroll admitted the tournament has been a success for his young squad in the fledgling stages of their careers.

The Irish coach, who arrived at the Newcastle United Academy from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren in September 2024, added: "This is, in my opinion, the best competition for them to play in. They're real games, it's physically difficult and credit to all the teams that played in it. It's a compliment to the boys they've ended up topping the group.

"If we could get ten more games like this, I'd be buzzing! Whether it's the quarter-finals or a bigger group stage, I'm absolutely delighted and any feedback from me will be that the more of these games the better.

"It's a real test and competitive. Every game has been close and we were probably disappointed in the last game against Boston (a 3-2 loss) but the more of these games, the better."