Adam Phillips’ late penalty earned a deserved point for Norwich City Under-23s and completed an excellent comeback at St James’ Park.
The young Canaries fell behind to two early goals at the 52,000-capacity stadium but came back to earn a point after the break in their latest Premier League Two Division Two encounter.
The Magpies used the game to give England international midfielder Jonjo Shelvey 90 minutes following a recent three-game ban for the first team and the 25-year-old former Liverpool and Swansea midfielder created the opener.
Shelvey’s long ball was finished nicely by striker Luke Charman in the 10th minute as the team of Newcastle legend Peter Beardsley grabbed the initiative.
It was 2-0 just three minutes later when defender Macaulay Gillesphey headed a Dan Barlaser corner past Aston Oxborough, leaving City rather shocked.
However, Matt Gill’s side rallied and Glenn Middleton, Todd Cantwell and striker Pierre Fonkeu – heading a golden chance wide at the back post – all had chances before the break.
Looking to build on a 2-0 home win over Stoke in their last PL2 game and a 3-0 friendly win at Lowestoft last week, Norwich continued to press in the second half and pulled a goal back in the 49th minute when Cantwell teed up Devote Aransibia on the left, who smashed a shot past England U21 keeper Freddie Woodman.
City made three changes and one of the substitutes, Kieran Higgs, was brought down inside the Newcastle area in the 82nd minute to earn a penalty, slotted home by skipper Phillips to equalise and earn a deserved draw.
The young Canaries return to PL2 action on Sunday when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road in a 2pm kick-off, before heading to Reading on Monday, September 25 (1pm).
Norwich: Oxborough; Sambu, Wallis, Odusina, Aarons; Phillips, Mourgos (Kamal 76); Middleton (Spyrou 72), Cantwell (Higgs 63), Aransibia; Fonkeu. Unused subs: Ekumah
Attendance: 662
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