Boosted by the presence of Jonjo Shelvey for some much-needed match practice, Newcastle U23s maintained their promotion push on Friday night thanks to a fourth successive league victory. 

And it was Shelvey whose goal ultimately separated the sides at Motspur Park, heading home on the hour just before his planned substitution.

The Cottagers fashioned the first real chance of the evening in the fifth minute when Tyrese Francois hit the outside of the post with a low shot from distance.

However, Newcastle more than held their own for the remainder of the half, Shelvey to the fore in the majority of their noteworthy attacks.

Pinging the ball around in trademark style, he let fly with a 30-yarder on 25 minutes that warmed the 'keeper's hands and saw a looping header cleared away from well inside the six yard box eight minutes later.

Clad in their red and blue change kit, United claimed that a header from Kelland Watts seconds before half time had been cleared from behind the goal line, but referee Tang Hing Fu remained unmoved.

Shelvey began and ended the move that brought about the only goal of the game on 61 minutes, spraying a crossfield pass to Ryan Barrett on the Newcastle right. 

He played in Thomas Allan, who sent over a tempting cross that Shelvey headed home from close range. 

Barrett himself then had his effort blocked by Cottagers custodian George Wickens, while a poor backpass three minutes from time gave Yannick Toure sight of goal, only for him to shoot high and early.

Much like their first team counterparts though, there was little end product from Fulham and Nathan Harker had a quiet night between the posts, the only real moment of concern coming when his dribble was halted by an opponent and the ball ran free - disaster averted when the referee blew for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Victory leaves the Magpies in fourth, five points behind leaders Southampton with a game in hand on them, well-placed for the promotion playoffs with five games left (the champions go up and the next four play off). 

Elsewhere on Friday, the Saints lost to second -placed Reading and third-placed Wolves drew with Boro.

Biffa