Magpies held by injury time equaliser again

An injury time equaliser from Aaron Lennon broke Newcastle hearts as Harry Redknapp's side salvaged a 1-1 draw at St James' Park today. For the second time in a week, the Magpies gave away an injury time equaliser when the winger cut inside and drilled the ball past Steve Harper in the Magpies goal. It was a devastating blow to Alan Pardew's side, who had taken a 59th minute lead thanks to a stunning solo effort from birthday boy Fabricio Coloccini. The defender - who turned 29 today - scored a goal any centre-forward would be proud of when he controlled Danny Guthrie's cross-field pass and fired past Carlo Cudicini with a superb strike. But the Magpies squandered several chances to double their lead from Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best, which ultimately cost them maximum points. Spurs dominated the first half, but were kept at bay by Harper, who made a number of good saves to deny Jermain Defoe. But a much-improved second-half performance saw the Tynesiders take control before they deservedly took the lead through Coloccini's stunning strike. Newcastle threw men forward in an attempt to get a second, but Spurs were also pressing for an equaliser, with Harper denying Lennon and a thunderous Luka Modric shot rattling the bar before Ameobi and Lovenkrands had gone close for the hosts. In the latter stages, it was nail-biting, end-to-end football with substitute Niall Ranger going agonisingly close to securing the win when he dribbled into the box past two Spurs defenders but his shot trickled across goal. Then a minute later, when it seemed the home side had held out for the win, Lennon received Defoe's lay off and the tricky winger shuffled inside and finished to grab a last-gasp point for the visitors.      

Source: Northern_Echo