It was a match that could have easily gone either way in a frantic finish, and the wait goes on for Newcastle United under-21s' first win in 2023. However there are plenty of positives for recently-appointed boss Ben Dawson to take as his side fought back twice to claim a 2-2 draw against Leeds United on Monday night.
The young Magpies have not registered a Premier League 2 victory since October, and fell to a derby defeat in their last outing at Sunderland. Ben Parkinson's maiden strike for the second-string and a Cameron Ferguson own goal did ensure Newcastle's four-match losing run came to an end, even if a first win for Dawson in his new post remains elusive.
Leeds made a flying start to the contest, and struck first as Mateo Joseph tapped in at the far post. Newcastle were clinging on in the early exchanges, but clawed themselves level as Parkinson pounced upon a poor touch to nick the ball before firing home from range.
