Huth snatches Boro a point

German international defender Robert Huth headed home an 87th-minute Julio Arca cross to cancel out Owen's 60th-minute strike and extend the Magpies' winless Barclays Premier League run to eight games.

But it might have been even worse with the Teessiders having an injury-time effort from Dong-Gook Lee ruled out for offside.

Owen had served England boss Fabio Capello with a timely reminder of his predatory instincts when he glanced home a free-kick on the hour to end his side's 455-minute wait for a league goal - his first since October 7.

There were few chances of note at either end in the first half with Jeremie Aliadiere's scuffed shot on the half-hour the only save Shay Given had to make.

However, it might have been so different for Keegan's men had referee Mike Dean not chalked out Owen's fourth-minute effort.

The official blew when the England international had stabbed home the loose ball after Mark Schwarzer had dropped Emre's corner at his feet, although there seemed to be minimal contact between the two men.

The breakthrough arrived when Luke Young was penalised for a foul on Charles N'Zogbia wide on the left. Emre curled the ball to the near post where Owen had timed his run to perfection to glance a header past Mark Schwarzer.

But there was to be further late drama and Boro were level with three minutes remaining when Huth looped a header over Given from Julio Arca's deep cross.

Keegan's afternoon could have ended in disaster when Downing's injury-time free-kick came back off the post and Lee fired home the rebound, but an offside flag ensured that the spoils were shared.