40 mins Ben Parkinson header 1-0

42 mins Oliver Sanderson shot. 1-1

Half time: Bantams 1 Magpies U21s 1

76 mins Andy Cook shot. 1-2

90+2 mins Josh Donaldson shot. 2-1

Full time: Bantams 2 Magpies U21s 2

The shootout:
Parkinson scores 1-0
J.Walker scores 1-1
Stanton saved 1-1
Smith scores 1-2
Turner-Cooke scores 2-2
Pointon scores 2-3
Huntley scores 3-3
Pattison saved 3-3
Donaldson scores 4-3
Cook saved 4-3

Newcastle win 4-3

With Travis Hernes, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar and Trevan Sanusi on international duty, United gave a competitive U21 debut to striker Guy Bloomer, weeks ahead of his 17th birthday.

NUFC in the EFL Trophy - all time:

Played 24, Won 4, Drawn 3, Lost 17, goals for 23, goals against 50.

2017/18 Crewe Alexandra won 2-1
2017/18 Port Vale lost 0-1
2017/18 Oldham Athletic lost 1-4
2018/19 Doncaster Rovers won 3-1
2018/19 Notts County won 2-0
2018/19 Grimsby Town won 3-2
2018/19 Macclesfield Town drew 1-1 (won 5-3 pens)*
2018/19 mackems lost 0-4
2019/20 Macclesfield Town lost 1-2
2019/20 Shrewsbury Town lost 0-3
2019/20 Port Vale lost 1-2
2020/21 Shrewsbury Town lost 0-3
2020/21 Crewe Alexandra lost 0-1
2020/21 Bolton Wanderers lost 2-3
2021/22 Sheffield Wednesday lost 0-3
2021/22 Harrogate Town lost 0-2
2021/22 Mansfield Town lost 3-6
2022/23 Doncaster Rovers drew 0-0 (lost 2-4 pens)
2022/23 Barnsley lost 0-2
2022/23 Lincoln City lost 0-2
2023/24 Wrexham lost 0-1
2023/24 Port Vale drew 1-1 (lost 2-3 pens)
2023/24 Crewe Alexandra lost 1-2
2024/25 Bradford City drew 2-2 (won 4-3 pens)

* At SJP, all others were away ties.

The opening tie of United's group was played last month saw Rotherham United defeat Mansfield Town 2-0.

Newcastle U21s began their EFL Trophy campaign at League Two side Bradford City on Tuesday night, drawing 2-2 in 90 minutes before winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-3.

Despite some early home pressure, United went closest when Alfie Harrison's curling 20-yard left-footer hit the upright in the 18th minute. Anthony Munda then saw his effort from distance saved by Colin Doyle after 25 minutes as both sides pressed to break the deadlock.

And it was Ben Parkinson who got the opener in the 40th minute, meeting Johnny Emerson's cross with a well-placed header into the far corner for his second U21 goal of the season.

But that lead didn't last long and two minutes later Oliver Sanderson fired in the equaliser past Aidan Harris from the edge of the box. Sanderson then saw his header in first half added time ruled out for a foul as it remained 1-1 at the interval.

Newcastle's Jay Turner-Cooke came close to restoring his side's lead in the 67th minute but his goalbound volley was headed away. The Bantams then went ahead nine minutes later when Jay Benn's cross was converted in the six yard box by Andy Cook.

Seven minutes of added time saw the young Magpies get back on terms when substitute Josh Donaldson got the final touch to a free-kick played into the box. 

With the game ending all-square, each team was awarded a point and then a penalty shootout decided who would gain the extra point.

Three great saves were key with Ellis Stanton having his kick saved by City's Colin Doyle. That gave the Bantams the advantage until substitute Alex Pattison saw his attempt saved by Aidan Harris and then the Magpies 'keeper dived low to keep out Cook.

Many thanks to GW.