Half time: Seagulls 0 Magpies 0

Full time: Seagulls 0 Magpies 0

Freddie: they shall not pass

It's now just one defeat in six competitive games this season for United's U23s after a scoreless draw at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium on Monday - but after frustrating hosts Brighton for most of the night, Peter Beardsley's side were unable to nick the win.

Newcastle reached half time level thanks to the efforts of former Crawley loanee Freddie Woodman, who made no less than five notable stops to deny the Seagulls.

However the visitors missed a clear chance of their own after just six minutes when Dan Barlaser's astute pass split the Albion defence and left Stefan O'Connor with clear sight of goal.

Playing in midfield rather than his usual defensive role, O'Connor's shot hit Bailey Vose as the goalkeeper was tempted off his line - and left himself open to a chip. 

The Magpies were forced into an unplanned change before the second half began, when Liam Smith pulled up on the field and had to be replaced by Mo Sangare.

A more positive period of play from Newcastle saw Callum Smith, Kyle Cameron and Luke Charman all have efforts on goal - but none of them were on target.

Brighton redoubled their efforts and Max Sanders rattled the crossbar on 58 minutes before Danish U21 striker Henrik Bjordal looked to finally won his personal contest with Woodman when he shot past him - only for United's Josef Yarney to intervene with a saving clearance in the six yard box. 

The final 20 minutes saw the Seagulls begin to run out of ideas and Newcastle tried and grab a goal of their own - only for Sangare and Barlaser to both blast efforts harmlessly wide into the stand.

A chance to steal the points duly arrived on 90 minutes when Kyle Cameron found himself in space on the left of the Brighton box, only to pull his low cross agonisingly behind striker Luke Charman.

That Peter Beardsley's side reached that point with a chance of winning it though was due to the form of Woodman, who continues to impress.

(This was the third successive season this fixture has been played at Crawley, a 1-1 draw in March 2016 followed by a 2-1 Toon win almost exactly a year ago.)

PS: Obviously taking copy down a crackly phone line, The Brighton Argus reported that Freddy Newman had kept goal for United in this game.....

Biffa