Middlesbrough 2-2 Newcastle

Premiership photos

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's disputed last-gasp goal rescued a point for Middlesbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby.

Newcastle had taken an early lead after a Chris Riggott mistake allowed Craig Bellamy to race clear and score.

Boro laid siege to the visitors' goal and finally Hasselbaink's cross found Stewart Downing who drove home.

Shola Ameobi was then fouled by Bolo Zenden, allowing Shearer to score the penalty, but Hasselbaink's header, with the help of his hand, saved Boro.

With the Newcastle squad ravaged by a conjunctivitis virus and injuries, manager Sir Bobby Robson deployed Robbie Elliott as a central defender.

In his first game in two years, Elliott had an uncomfortable opening minute when he seemed to handball a Hasselbaink header in the penalty area.

But no penalty was given and as the ball bounced in the box Gaizka Mendieta hit a half-volley that Given did well to save.

Against the run of play, Newcastle took a surprise lead after Riggott allowed an Aaron Hughes pass to slip under his foot.

Bellamy scampered away and after dummying his way round Mark Schwarzer, slid the ball into the net.

Newcastle's goal had the added consequence of knocking Boro out of their confident opening stride.

Boro's wide midfield players Zenden and Mendieta were kept quiet by Stephen Carr and Olivier Bernard, while Nicky Butt looked assured in his role as Newcastle's holding player.

Dyer and Jenas are to blame today, but it's always a mistake that costs us From Newcastle fan Have your say on 606

At the interval Boro manager Steve McClaren withdrew Joseph-Desire Job and introduced Szilard Nemeth to try and reinvigorate his attack.

The Slovakian brought more movement to the Boro attack and midway through the second half Bernard put in a brave tackle as Nemeth lined up a shot.

Soon after McClaren threw on Downing and his arrival had an even greater impact on the game.

First he despatched a dipping shot that Given had scrambling across his line to palm away and then on 73 minutes he arrived late in the box to hammer Hasselbaink's cross past the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Soon after Given made a point-blank save to deny Mendieta as Boro threatened to take charge of the game.

But on 83 minutes Shearer's quick pass to substitute Shola Amoebi tempted Zenden into a rash challenge on the Newcastle youngster.

And Shearer made no mistake thumping the penalty into the roof the net.

Jermaine Jenas missed an open goal before Zenden finally got away from substitute Kieron Dyer to send in a cross that Hasselbaink nodded home at the far post, though Newcastle's defenders claimed he used his hand to help the ball home.

---

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Reiziger, Ehiogu, Riggott, Parnaby (Downing 65), Mendieta, Boateng, Parlour, Zenden, Job (Nemeth 45), Hasselbaink.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Doriva, Cooper.

Booked: Parlour, Boateng, Ehiogu.

Goals: Downing 73, Hasselbaink 90.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, Bernard, Elliott, Hughes, Milner (Dyer 68), Jenas, Butt, Robert (Ameobi 76), Shearer (Kluivert 87), Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ramage.

Booked: Carr.

Goals: Bellamy 14, Shearer 83 pen.

Att: 34,268.

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).