Magpies snatch vital point

Just when it appeared as if United's long-suffering supporters would be left waiting for their miracle to materialise from their messiah Alan Shearer, up popped Carroll to answer their prayers.

However, United should have been dead and buried by the time the Gateshead-born 20-year-old headed an 81st-minute equaliser, cancelling out a first-half opener from old boy Abdoulaye Faye.

Liam Lawrence, who had already tested the Newcastle defence with a number of piercing deliveries, made his fourth corner of the game count. As the Magpies markers went missing it made it a formality for Faye to plant a comfortable seven-yard header beyond stricken goalkeeper Steve Harper.

How Stoke did not then put the game out of Newcastle's reach early in the second period remains a mystery as they had the chances, but a little bit of luck was at least on the visitors' side.

Sebastien Bassong and Ryan Taylor both found themselves on hand in clearing efforts from Glenn Whelan and Faye off the line.

Newcastle managed to survive the storm, and Shearer brought on substitute Carroll in the 71st minute.

The young striker's impact was almost immediate as within moments he had headed narrowly wide a deep cross from Taylor, at that stage Newcastle's best chance of the game.

Then, within 10 minutes of his arrival, Carroll's instinct saw him rise to a deflected chip from Duff and loop a delightful header inside the right-hand post of Thomas Sorensen.

The draw means Stoke are one point nearer the 40 points mark which should see them safe, a target Newcastle find themselves 10 points adrift of, with just six matches remaining.