Not since a 2-1 victory on this ground back in 1988 have Toon travellers had a Boxing Day victory to celebrate. And even dropping down a division failed to improve our miserable form on this day, with the name of Sheffield added to a list that now reads Stoke, Leeds, Derby, Bolton, Leicester, Blackburn, Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan. 

As the KLF once said, it's grim up North - and unless NUFC alter their policy of requesting away games on December 26th* (avoiding the need to begin home match preparations on Christmas Day), then next season will see a ninth successive mobilisation of supporters from Tyneside and beyond.

Given that many of the travelling Toon contingent had come "on the buses", then for some geezer called Varney to open the scoring for the home side was a typical moment of low comedy. 

Having been excused training on Christmas Day, a lethargic-looking United seemed in the mood to hand out gifts, failing to chase a half-cleared corner down and being duly punished by Varney - on loan at Hillsborough from Derby County.

That was the first goal that managerless Wednesday had scored in 631 minutes, but while the relief around Hillsborough was tangible, going behind had a positive effect on Newcastle and they were level within five minutes.

That goal came from Kevin Nolan - who had once provided his own touch of Boxing Day Toon gloom when shoving Peter Ramage in the back, causing him to register an own goal at the Reebok Stadium.

And having scored from their first attack, Chris Hughton's side promptly repeated the trick from their next, as Shola Ameobi continued his post-injury goalscoring form with a decent - if illegal - strike. 

Conceding two quick goals had a debilitating effect on the home side, who went into this match on the back of five losses and were winless in their last ten outings. However, Newcastle were unable to press home their advantage in the form of more scoring chances, despite dominating the rest of the first half. 

And they were made to pay when a brighter Owls display in the second period saw them take the initiative, as a lack of movement and control from our front duo left the Magpies frustratingly unable to retain possession. 

After surviving a series of needlessly-conceded corners, United duly conceded a half-expected equaliser - but from the far end of the ground things had an air of unreality as Wednesday hit the bar and netted the rebound - someone called O'Connor this time delivering the punchline, 

There were some protests - and a belated moan at match referee Stuart Attwell from Harper later in the game - but a certain suspicion that the whistler had been made aware of the first half rick for the Ameobi goal and was trying to even up the crime count.

With half an hour remaining, there was optimism that conceding again would deliver another much-needed kick in the shorts for the visitors, but despite using all three substitutes, things were little improved. 

Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands replaced Ameobi and Harewood, while Fabrice Pancrate came on to provide some width down the right - which never materialised. 

Had we been in charge of the side, then Ryan Taylor would certainly have come off the bench, having scored against us for Wigan on this day in both 2007 and 2008. And although that reveals much about our superstitious approach, we could have done with some of his dead balls or swooping crosses into the Owls area.

Wednesday fancied a winner of their own and Harper did well to get something in the way of a Marcus Tudgay effort.

Carroll's first intervention was almost crucial, as he bullied his way into the Owls area and saw Lee Grant block a shot, Pancrate blazing the rebound wildly over after Harewood laid the ball back to him. 

That proved to be our best chance, Harewood failing to sign off his Gallowgate loan spell with a goal and doing his prospects of a return little good with a performance that again drew criticism from the travelling support.

Regardless of the opposition though, taking a point from an away game in which we were decidedly off-colour is a welcome return and more than we achieved on similar "off days" at Forest & Scunny.

As Barnsley had done though in our last away game, Wednesday profited by dropping crosses into the United area and putting our defence under pressure. And with Nicky Butt filling in for the absent Smith, things were a tad chaotic in the centre of the park, where pace, control and creativity were all largely absent.

At the 23 game halfway point in the season, the draw took us to a half century of points and left us eight points ahead of second-placed West Bromwich Albion, who have one game in hand.

Whether the Boxing Day away curse will be lifted next season remains to be seen, but despite today's result there's still justifiable optimism that in 12 months time we'll be trekking down the A1 en route to a top-flight ground. And doubtless enduring more festive generosity and slapstick.

* NUFC subsequently told us that our claim was "absolutely untrue and inaccurate".

Biffa