Half time: Newcastle 0 Fulham 0

77 mins Ward shot. 1-0

90+2 mins Edun shot. 1-1

Full time: Newcastle 1 Fulham 1

Newcastle U23s were denied a third successive league victory by a late equaliser in their final Premier League 2 Division Two game of the season on Monday afternoon.

Their opponents on the Academy pitches at Little Benton were a Fulham side needing three points to retain any hope of a promotion playoff place.

Thomas Allan was a late replacement for Luke Charman in the starting line-up and it was the young striker who almost gave United the lead in the ninth minute, a low centre from Callum Roberts left flashing across the six yard box just evading Allan at the far post.

United's next chance came in the 23rd minute when a Roberts free-kick just outside the box struck the wall and Macaulay Gillesphey headed back in for Stefan O'Connor to loop his header just wide.

Ten minutes later Fulham had the ball in the net but Elijam Adebayo's effort was ruled out as Cameron Thompson had run the ball out before crossing.

The Cottagers came close to a breakthrough just on half time, Gillesphey hacking Jaydn Mundle-Smith’s shot clear of the six yard box as Sonny Hilton lurked.

Both sides were affected by the blustery conditions on an exposed pitch and although resuming with the wind in their favour, Newcastle still made little headway.

However the deadlock was finally broken in the 77th minute when a Fulham error allowed Allan and Adam Wilson sight of goal. The latter had an effort blocked by the goalkeeper but substitute Dan Ward followed up to hammer home the opener.

That looked like the clincher but the visitors pushed on strongly in the closing stages and equalised during the second minute of five added on - Tayo Edun beating Nathan Harker with a low shot from the edge of the area that went through a crowd of players.

Despite being forced to settle for a point, the black and whites managed to move up a place in the final league table - finishing tenth in a twelve team league with 21 points (six wins and three draws).

That's a noticeable decline from last season, when a third place finish (and eventual playoff final defeat) brought them 37 points via 11 wins and four draws. And soberingly, seven of the nine teams above them this season came from current Championship clubs.

Blackburn Rovers have clinched promotion as champions, while Aston Villa, Brighton, Boro and Reading are all now involved in playoffs for the second spot in Division One. Dropping into Division Two meanwhile - and facing Newcastle next season  - are Manchester United and the mackems.

Biffa