Middlesbrough's habit of giving away points with late goals continued with an equaliser from Newcastle substitute Nikos Dabizas in a game which the home side should have won.

Townsend puts 'Boro ahead

Andy Townsend and Colin Cooper put Middlesbrough ahead twice, but both times the lead was wiped out, with Newcastle's first strike the goal of the game from Laurent Charvet.

Dabizas scored with seven minutes to go - the second week running that a late goal had denied Boro a chance to move higher in the Premiership table.

1-1: Charvet equalises for Newcastle

Before the match, Newcastle fans hoping to see their new first-choice strike partnership getting its first outing were disappointed.

Alan Shearer failed a late fitness test on a hamstring problem, leaving Andreas Andersson to partner recent signing Duncan Ferguson up front.

Colin Cooper: 2-1 for Middlesbrough

Midfielders Robert Lee and Nolberto Solano returned for Stephen Glass and Dietmar Hamman, with Steve Harper deputising for the injured Shay Given in goal.

Middlesbrough were unchanged from their 1-1 draw at Highbury, as they attempted to take a first Premiership win over their regional rivals.

The away side created the first real chance in the seventh minute, when Gary Speed played Andersson in behind the Boro defence. The Swede found Ferguson whose shot was blocked by Steve Vickers.

Andy Townsend: First goal of the season

A 13th minute corner produced the opening goal, with two of Middlesbrough's veterans combining in a clearly rehearsed move.

Paul Gascoigne's kick appeared to be slightly too far from goal to threaten the Newcastle defence, but Andy Townsend spun away from his marker to make space for a shot.

The former Republic of Ireland captain's effort was precise, looping over defenders and keeper, and into the top left hand corner of the Newcastle goal.

Dabizas saves the day for Newcastle

Middlesbrough were on top, with Brian Deane failing to hit the target with three clear headers.

Newcastle only threatened occasionally, although keeper Mark Schwarzer punched away under pressure from Ferguson and Andersson shot high and wide.

Laurent Charvet: Spectacular equaliser

In the 38th minute, the away side scored the second goal of the game to come from a corner.

Dean Gordon appeared to have cleared the danger, but the ball fell for Laurent Charvet just outside the area, and he hit an unstoppable volley past Shwarzer and into the net.

Half time saw Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit making his first change with Glass coming off the bench for Solano, and his side were soon on top.

Keith Gillespie had a shot deflected, before Glass and Ferguson also caused Boro problems.

The home side threatened again thanks to the increasing influence of Gascoigne, who beat two men in midfield before crossing perfectly for Deane, whose powerful header was pushed onto a post by Harper.

The young keeper was called into action again soon afterwards, saving a fierce effort by Townsend, but he could do nothing about the second Middlesbrough goal.

Dean Gordon holds off Gillespie

Ricard was tackled in the area and the clearance fell to defender Colin Cooper, who hit a shot which deflected off Aaron Hughes and looped over the keeper and into the goal.

Despite the rather fortunate goal, Middlesbrough were worthy leaders, despite Ferguson causing occasional problems for the home defence.

His partner changed with 14 minutes to go, with Paul Dalglish replacing the out-of-sorts Andersson.

But it was Ruud Gullit's third substitution which proved the crucial one.

Nikos Dabizas was introduced in place of Warren Barton, and he was perfectly positioned to take advantage of a deep Charvet cross.

With seven minutes to go, the Greek substitute won an aerial challenge with Cooper and his header looped over Schwarzer and into the net to deny the home side.

After last week's late equaliser at Arsenal and a similar result against Nottingham Forest earlier in the season it was a familiar end for the frustrated Boro fans.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Gordon, Vickers, Pallister, Mustoe, Gascoigne, Deane, Townsend, Ricard, Cooper. Subs: Roberts, Beck, Stamp, Maddison, Stockdale.

Newcastle: Harper, Barton, Howey, Lee, Speed, Charvet, Gillespie, Ferguson, Solano, Hughes, Andersson. Subs: Perez, Hamann, Glass, Dalglish, Dabizas.