Aarons is back in goal routine

claims waved away when he appeared to be clipped by a labouring Grant Hanley.

Forest deservedly levelled in the 29th minute when Cummings made the most of lax marking to head home unchallenged from Zach Clough’s chipped cross.

Two minutes later the visitors were ahead, Newcastle being caught out by a routine ball down the middle from Danny Fox as Cummings outpaced Chancel Mbemba to lob Darlow.

Clough could have added a third from a narrow angle, but keeper Darlow blocked to keep Newcastle afloat and allow Aarons to seal an impressive 45 minutes on his return. Aarons rounded off a swift counterattack aided by a deflection off referee Darren England to find the top corner from 25 yards and send the sides in at the break level.

Buoyed by Aarons’ first goal for 15 months, Newcastle carried that momentum into the second half and it took a fine save from Smith to divert a curling effort from Jacob Murphy, which was destined for the top corner.

Henri Saivet came even closer to restoring his side’s lead when his shot from point-blank range was blocked by Fox after Mitrovic had headed on a throw by Jesus Gamez. Despite impressive resistance from the visitors, Newcastle were having few problems creating chances by this stage, though taking one of them was another matter.

Murphy slalomed his way past two challenges but failed to match his impressive approach play as he sent a shot from the edge of the area ballooning into the Gallowgate End.

NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Booked: FOREST (3-1-4-2): Goals: