Newcastle United 0-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from St James' Park

City and Newcastle United shared an entertaining and action-packed goalless encounter at St James' Park.

Gary Johnson's team may not have ended the club's 99-year wait for a win at Newcastle, but they certainly made a match of it, gaining an impressive and hard-fought point.

The Magpies had their chances, with the City woodwork being struck three times during the match and Marlon Harewood had a stonewall penalty turned down.

But the whole team worked tirelessly to protect their goal, including Dean Gerken who had a surprise call up before kick-off.

Adriano Basso injured his groin his groin in the warm up and needed to be replaced by Gerken - back from illness.

Alvaro Saborio battles for the ball with Steven Taylor

Newcastle started well and Jamie McAllister did well to block shots from Danny Guthrie and Harewood in quick succession.

Nicky Maynard shot straight at Steve Harper early on, before more Newcastle pressure began to build.

On eight minutes the hosts broke through the City defence, with Peter Lovenkrands feeding Harewood in the box and he rattled the inside the post. Alan Smith, operating in attacking midfield role, flashed a rebound effort over the top.

City's goal led a charmed life in the second half, but they survived

Cole Skuse went close for City on 15 minutes with a driven deflected volley from the edge of the box that just dipped over the top.

A poor backpass from Danny Simpson almost allowed Lee Johnson in moments later but the midfielder found himself over-stretching and he wasn't able to direct the ball towards goal.

Gerken dived across to his left to keep out a hooked shot from Smith, while Skuse sent another long range wide of the mark before half-time.

The home side racked up the chances after the interval with Jonas Gutierrez, Loverkrands and Harewood all going close from distance.

City's 2,800 away fans enjoyed their visit to St James' Park

Gerken produced two brilliant saves in the sapce of a minute on the hour. First the former Colchester stopper parried Guthrie's volley from close range, and then he pushed clear Kevin Nolan's six-yard header from Harewood's cross.

The visiting goal was leading a charmed life when the ball bounced twice off the crossbar in an almighty goal-mouth scramble. Gerken and his defence did all they could to keep the ball out and managed it - just.

Newcastle's fans and players were rubbing their eyes with disbelief when substitute Jamie McCombe appeared to slide in and chop down Harewood in the box on 74 minutes. Both assistant referee and official Graham Salisbury were in agreement, remarkably that no penalty was the right call.

It proved the last real incident of note in the game, as City rallied late and held on for a vital point.