10 mins Neave shot. 0-1

41 mins Seung-soo shot. 0-1

Half time: Newcastle 2 Blackburn 0

Full time: Newcastle 2 Blackburn 0

Robbie Stockdale's first game as Newcastle's permanent U21 coach saw his side continue their recent resurgence and maintain hopes of reaching the end of season playoffs.

The black and whites went ahead after 13 minutes at Whitley Park, Park Seung-soo evaded two defenders for Sean Neave to drive in his 13th U21 goal of the season.

United doubled their lead four minutes before half-time, Park cutting in from the left to unleash a curling right-footer - a memorable first goal on home soil for the South Korean.

Rovers custodian Blake Wolsoncroft then did well to deny the hosts a third goal before the interval, his noteworthy one-handed save keeping out Anthony Munda's header.

Munda wasn't too far away from getting a curling effort on target on 69 minutes, the best opportunity of a low-key second period when the score remained unchanged.

Victory left United four places and one point away from the cut off point of sixteenth with three games left - although other teams in a congested table have played less.

Earlier: Following an upturn in form since he took charge on an interim basis in January, Friday saw the Magpies confirm Robbie Stockdale as their permanent U21 Lead Coach.

The 46 year-old native of Redcar arrived at United during February 2025 as assistant to Diarmuid O'Carroll, staying in post when Adam Lawrence took charge last August.

Thanks to GW