Newcastle United Under-23s stumbled to a single-goal defeat at home to Reading to end their recent unbeaten run.
The Premier League 2 defeat leaves Ben Dawson's side with work to do in the second half of the season if they are to repeat their achievement of reaching the play-offs again this term.
Newcastle were beaten by Southampton in the play-off final last term but are currently fourth bottom of the table.
But in front of watching first team boss Steve Bruce and coach Steve Harper, the Magpies disappointed for long spells at Whitley Park.
The first chance of the game dropped to Ethan Coleman but the Reading man could only head over the bar despite being presented with a good chance.
On 14 minutes, Rosaire Longelo crossed from the right for United but skipper Thomas Allan's header was gathered by the goalkeeper.
Reading responded with another well-worked move three minutes, however, Jake Turner held on well to deny Adam Liddle.
Debutant De Bolle played in Allan on the half-hour mark but the forward struck the post before Longelo blazed over on the rebound.
After an evenly contested first half the two sides went in level at the break.
But the Magpies slipped behind early in the second half as former Manchester City and Chelsea youth product Michael Olise accelerated down the left before hammering a low shot past Jake Turner to hand Reading the lead.
Toon U23 chief Ben Dawson made his first change of the afternoon on the hour mark with 16-year-old De Bolle coming off after a hard working debut.
As United chased for an equaliser Mo Sangare won a free-kick just outside the box but Jack Young's effort struck the wall.
Dawson introduced England youth international winger Adam Wilson with 21 minutes left as he replaced Victor Fernandez.
Two minutes later, Newcastle created a chance for Lewis Cass at the back post but he couldn't find a way past Reading keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke.
The third and final change arrived with 13 minutes left as Yannick Toure came on for Longelo.
Moments later, Wilson won a free-kick 25-yards from goal but Allan's attempt struck the wall.
And that moment summed up a lack of overall quality from United as a clutch of late deliveries into the box were easily cleared by the Royals.
Dawson's side go back to the drawing board for a Premier League International Cup group game against Hertha Berlin on Wednesday night (7pm, Whitley Park).
UNITED: Turner, Sterry, Cass, Young, McEntee, Francillette, Longelo (Toure 77), Sangare, Allan, de Bolle (Barrett 60), Fernandez (Wilson 69).
Attendance: 108
