Manchester United's Under-21s lost 3-1 against Newcastle United in our final Premier League 2 regular season outing.
The Magpies scored twice inside the opening ten minutes, as Matheos Ferreira and Sean Neave both found the net.
Victor Musa pulled a goal back for our young Reds, after heading home Jim Thwaites's looping cross, before our advances for a winner caught us cold.
A mix up at the back left Anthony Munda with the simplest of tasks, as he added a third and made sure of Newcastle's success.
Adam Lawrence's side finished second in the table, and have thus qualified for next season's Premier League International Cup, whilst we also await our opponents in the knockout stages of Premier League 2.
FIRST HALF
Newcastle came flying out of the blocks and took the lead inside the opening five minutes, as Ferreira found the net.
The 19-year-old had the diligent work of Seung-soo Park to thank, as the winger raced down the left flank before crossing for a simple tap-in inside the box.
One quickly became two as the Magpies added a second just minutes later, this time it was with a slice of fortune.
Jack Moorhouse lost his footing as United looked to build in midfield, only for Mason Miley to swipe the ball forward. His long punt found forward Neave, who dinked his effort over Will Murdock.
Jack Fletcher seemed to be struggling with an injury and looked to be moving a little gingerly as our Academy side tried to muster a way back into the game.
Chido Obi saw his deflected effort flash wide, before a neat move culminated in Fletcher taking a shot that was easily gathered by Newcastle goalkeeper Aidan Harris as the first half drew to a close.
SECOND HALF
Head coach Lawrence rang in the changes as the second half began, with Thwaites, James Overy and Sam Lusale all brought on.
It took us only nine minutes to notch a goal back, as a short corner caught Newcastle's defence out as we reduced the deficit.
Thwaites's looping ball into the box was headed home by Musa, and with Chelsea losing against Fulham, confidence was high that top spot was still in reach.
Noah Ajayi was unlucky to not be given a penalty when Scott Bailey appeared to foul him soon after, with referee Melissa Burgin waving away our claims.
Thwaites then took a shot from range that flashed just wide of the post, before Newcastle took advantage on the break to end the contest altogether.
A mistake at the back allowed Munda to nip in and round Murdock, tapping into an empty net to make it 3-1 in the dying moments.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Murdock; Jackson (Overy 46), Aljofree, Armer, Kukonki; McCormack, McAllister (Ajayi 62); Musa, J.Fletcher (Thwaites 46), Moorhouse; Obi (Lusale 46).
Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes.
Booked: Armer
Goals: Musa 54.
Newcastle: Harris; Miley (Watts 85), Thompson, Pivas, Charlton (Johnson 62); Bailey, Finneran; Ferreira (Mills 73), Munda, Park (Fitzgerald 85); Neave.
Subs not used: Harrison
Booked: Munda, Finneran, Bailey.
Goals: Ferreira 5, Neave 8, Munda 90+9.