Newcastle United have fallen to a 4-3 defeat to Portland Timbers' reserve side in their clash at Providence Park.

The Magpies took the lead in the sixth minute when Georginio Wijnaldum netted his first goal for the club as he slotted home from close range, converting Rolando Aarons's cross.

Portland hit back with an equaliser from Fatawu Safiu when he pounced on a rebound in the box and found the bottom corner after Kharlton Belmar's strike was saved by Karl Darlow.

Steve McClaren's men nearly retook the lead when Ayoze Perez found space on the edge of the box and curled an effort towards the top corner, but his strike was well saved by Jake Gleeson.

The Timbers went ahead in the 24th minute as Michael Nanchoff lifted a dangerous ball into the penalty area from a free kick which was headed past Darlow by Anthony Manning in the six-yard box.

Taylor Peay added a third for the home side when he turned the ball home after another cross from Nanchoff caused havoc in the penalty area.

The Timbers came close to scoring a fourth minutes later when Nick Besler raided forward and drilled a strike towards the bottom corner, but Darlow made a fine save.

In the second half, Portland threatened again and Nanchoff came within inches of finding the net as he curled his free kick towards goal, but his effort clipped the post and went wide.

The Timbers did score their fourth goal of the match when Jeanderson raided down the right and lifted a cross to the back post for the run of Besler, who guided his header beyond Freddie Woodman into the net.

Newcastle got a goal back when Aarons teed himself up in the penalty area and powered an overhead kick past Justin Luthy to bring his team back into the game.

Aarons reduced the deficit further when he lined up a strike from distance which sailed past the outstretched hand of Luthy into the net to give the Magpies hope of salvaging a draw. However, the home side held out to secure the win over McClaren's men.