10 mins An elongated free kick routine outside the United area ended with a low shot from Nicky Maynard reaching Steve Harper, who dived to block but couldn't hold the ball. He then watched as one-time mackem loanee, Lewin Nayatanga nipped into to poke home from close range. 0-1

44 mins Having scored twice in midweek when City lost 3-2 at Plymouth,  Nicky Maynard then doubled City's advantage, brushing past a back-pedalling Simpson before shooting beyond Harper and in off the far post 0-2

Half time: Robins 2 Magpies 0

71 mins Home goalkeeper Dean Gerken had been City's hero in the 0-0 draw at SJP earlier in the season, but turned villain here with a shoddy throw out to dawdling defender Cole Skuse. He was promptly robbed by Jonas Gutierrez, who showed some unexpected composure to round Gerken and slotting home. 1-2

75 mins Moving forward at speed down the United left, Enrique and Routledge worked an opening for Andy Carroll to arrive in the box and sweep the ball home to level amid further scenes of great jubilation in the Wedlock Stand behind the goal. Note to the three loons on to the pitch near the corner flag, slip on shoes and muddy surfaces just don't mix - like cross-ply and radials* 2-2

Full time: Robins 2 Magpies 2

* if this comment means nothing to you, then the world of TV public information films and mentions of "a nice little dinjy", "Reginald Molehusband" and "SPLINK" are similarly wasted. Enlightenment however is at hand here and here.

After a week when several rank outsiders upset the odds at nearby Cheltenham, Newcastle avoided becoming fall guys after a late revival spearheaded by their own pair of ponytailed thoroughbreds. 

There's an ancient piece of football lore that says beware of managerless sides (see also rookie goalkeepers playing blinders/ballboy's smart returns leading to goals) and this was no exception. 

Talk of dressing room spats and on-pitch disputes amid supporter discontent gave way to a show of unity from home fans and players alike under their caretaker boss - even if former Toon man Bradley Orr had to be restrained at one point in the second half after berating a team mate.

This Magpie migration brought thousands of Robins followers back to Ashton Gate and despite taking every opportunity to ridicule their illustrious guests, the City fans betrayed a grasp of our recent history (most of their Championship counterparts have avoided mention of Alan Shearer's time in charge, while it's been a long time since "cry on the telly" had an airing.....)

Two behind at the break, Newcastle had chances of their own in the first half, with Kevin Nolan heading straight at the keeper and Danny Guthrie seeing his effort cleared off the line. Other than that though the league leaders looked distinctly uncomfortable, apparently intent on providing live TV viewers with an unscheduled Saturday night horror movie.

Without Peter Lovenkrands due to a calf strain, Chris Hughton opted to retain a 4-4-2 formation with Leon Best making his fourth start for the club, alongside Andy Carroll. Unfortunately the ploy of playing two wingers away from home left Guthrie to cover an awful lot of ground in the centre of midfield - as Nolan opted to sit in an advanced role, opening up a sizeable gap behind him.
  

The United boss resisted an Avon culling at half time and sent the same side out to right the wrongs of the first - despite shouts for the more popular Ranger to replace Best. A further change was quickly forced upon him though, when Fitz Hall pulled a hamstring and Tamas Kadar replaced him in central defence - although both Danny Simpson and Jose Enrique hardly looked to be 100%.

The Hungarian defender then began our fightback with a low, long-range effort that was blocked by City 'keeper Dean Gerken - although there was nobody in a yellow shirt close enough to challenge for this rebound. That was followed by a series of United corners that saw the home defence stand firm and Wayne Routledge bring ironic cheers when he launched a shot out of the ground.

City had earlier been forced into a defensive change of their own, with Jamie McAllister failing to reappear for the second half. That placed further pressure on a City defence for whom youngster Christian Ribeiro was making his Championship debut.

Despite superior possession though, United were badly in need of some attacking inspiration. That was to come from Jonas Gutierrez, who hadn't made much headway against Bradley Orr, but took the game by the scruff of the neck once United were attacking their own fans.

His accurate volley from another corner was straight at the 'keeper but offered encouragement to the travelling support behind the goal. And within seconds the Argentinean had his third goal for the club, after some poor work from City gave United a foothold in the game. 

There was no time for masks or other celebrations though, as Jonas & Co. seized the initiative and City looked like reverting to their past tendency of losing points by conceding late goals. And within four minutes, United had worked an equaliser reminiscent of an Andy Cole effort against Birmingham City in our last promotion campaign. 

Like Carroll's latest supersaver, that 1993 strike brought us back on level terms after we trailed 0-2 at the break. That game also ended 2-2 as a rejuvenated Newcastle dominated the closing stages but couldn't quite find the vital shot or pass to grab a third.

The 2010 vintage Magpies came close through a Leon Best header and a couple of Gutierrez efforts after some mazy dribbles, but City held on for their second draw of the season against United - a result which was broadly satisfactory for both parties.

Once again United were indebted to the broad shoulders of Andy Carroll, who scored for the fourth consecutive away game and as he had at both Swansea and the smoggies, made a crucial late intervention to secure a point from a game where our unbeaten run looked like going west.

While it can be argued that both Coloccini and Enrique have flourished by playing a second season in England out of the top flight, the most visible signs of progress have come from Carroll - who has improved steadily since beginning the campaign as part of a freakish pairing with Shola Ameobi.

Carroll's all-round effort today was unquestionable, with his major contribution to the side before scoring to make a series of powerful headed challenges out of his own penalty area.

As expected, both West Brom and Forest had recorded home wins before we kicked off, but with games running out, our two and ten point gaps respectively, look ever healthier and we still have an extra game to play. We can now finish no lower than eighth and only a strange set of results in midweek would see us fail to guarantee a top six finish and at least a place in the playoffs. Winning our four remaining home games will secure a return to the top flight at the first attempt.

Games continue to come thick and fast, with another potentially tricky away trip to Doncaster on Tuesday, followed by a gap until the following Monday's summit meeting at SJP against Nottingham Forest. 

Injuries are starting to take their toll on the side, but another point added to the total maintains morale and the effort and commitment remains unquestionable - even if the quality isn't always there away from Barrack Road.

Biffa