Huth rescues a late Boro point

German defender rescued a late point for Middlesbrough in a 1-1 draw at St. James' Park on Sunday afternoon in the Tyne-Tees derby. Newcastle looked to have sealed the three points thanks to Michael Owen's 60th minute goal.

Kevin Keegan will be full of regret as Robert Huth managed to earn Boro a point and deny the Newcastle boss his first win since taking charge.

The Magpies started brightly and England striker Owen had a close-range goal ruled out on five minutes after Mark Schwarzer dropped the ball under pressure but was awarded a free-kick.

Owen again found the net on 20 minutes, but Emre's corner had gone out of play on its way into the box.

Jeremie Aliadiere's scuffed shot on 30 was Boro's only first-half chance - but they improved vastly after the break and were piling on the pressure when the hosts scored through Owen against the run of play. Michael Owen thought he had grabbed all three points for the Magpies when he powered home a header on 60.

Damien Duff had a goal ruled out for offside on 66, while Joey Barton shot straight at Schwarzer from 16 yards out on his first start of the year.

The last 15 minutes of the game were then breathless, with Owen sidefooting a great chance wide before Downing and Gary O'Neil went close for Boro.

Huth then drew the visitors level with his clever header - and that sparked a frenzied finish, which saw Downing hit the woodwork and both sides waste last-gasp chances to secure all three points.