18 mins Oluwabori deflection. 1-0

Half time: Shaymen 1 Magpies U21s 0

59 mins Emerson shot. 1-1

71 mins Parkinson header 2-1

Full time: Shaymen 1 Magpies U21s 2

This newly-established competition consists of 16 PL2 sides and 16 National League clubs. 

Newcastle were paired with Halifax, Tamworth, Boston United and Gateshead in Group C, playing away ties against all four National League clubs. 

Leeds United, Boro and the mackems are also in the same group, but none of the PL2 sides or the National League sides will face teams from their own league in the group stage.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Gateshead defeated Boro 1-0 and Leeds United won 4-3 at Boston United.

The top two sides in each eight team group qualify for the Quarter Finals in February, with the Semi Finals in March and the Final in April.

As is the case in the EFL Trophy, when games are drawn after 90 minutes each team gets a point and a penalty shootout takes place with an extra point at stake.

Newcastle made their first visit to the Shay at any level since September 1995, when the reserves drew 0-0 with a Leeds United side who were temporary tenants.

Isaac Hayden was sighted in a Newcastle shirt for the first time since December 2021, when he started a 0-4 home loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. 

Failing to agree a loan move during the last transfer window, the 29 year-old midfielder is under contract at SJP until 2026 but has been training with the U21s since his most recent loan to QPR concluded at the end of last season.

Newcastle U21s made a winning start to their inaugural National League Cup campaign on Tuesday, coming from behind to beat Halifax Town 2-1 at the Shay.

Coach Diarmuid O'Carroll sprung a surprise by naming forgotten man Isaac Hayden in his side - one of three changes from the starting line-up that beat Blackburn Rovers in PL2 on Friday.

Town took the lead in the 18th minute in freakish style; Andrew Oluwabori deflecting Charlie McArthur's attempted pass across the box beyond Magpies 'keeper Aidan Harris and into the net.

United levelled just before the hour when Johnny Emerson ran on to Jay Turner-Cooke's through ball and fired home from a tight angle.

Harris got down well at his near post to deny Jamie Cooke before Ben Parkinson headed Leo Shahar's 71st minute corner against the crossbar. The ball then looked to rebound off goalkeeper Nathaniel Ford en route to the net but forward Parkinson was credited with this third goal of the season. 

The home side finished with 10 men after Festus Arthur received his second booking of the night, running to get involved in a brief scuffle between Turner-Cooke and Frankie Sinfield on 87 minutes.