Newcastle's Champions League ambitions suffered a setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers at St James' Park.
The Magpies were in cruise control after the first twenty minutes as strikes from Papiss Cisse and Jonas Gutierrez gave Alan Pardew's side a seemingly comfortable 2-0 advantage. However, the home side took their foot off the accelerator and allowed Wolves a route back into the contest, which they duly took through efforts from Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle.
Newcastle fans have become accustomed to seeing their team capitulate over the years, but it is an event that hasn't happened often this season, and Wolves' comeback was made even more surprising given the circumstances surrounding the contest. Pardew was able to call upon an almost full strength side, while Terry Connor's visitors had to cope without striker Stephen Fletcher, who was only fit enough for a place on the bench after failing to shake off an illness.
Still this did not deter Wolves, who demonstrated the same kind of resiliency that Newcastle have become famous for during this campaign. The Magpies dominated much of the early stages and were rewarded when Cisse latched onto a partially blocked Cheick Tiote effort to slot home inside six minutes. Newcastle's lead was doubled just over ten minutes later when Gutierrez lashed a magnificent right-footed shot past Wolves Keeper Wayne Hennessey from 25 yards out.
Newcastle appeared comfortable, but Wolves soon managed to gain a foothold in the contest as the Magpies seemed to slip into a false sense of security. The warning sings were there for all to see when Doyle rose highest to head wide of the post just before the interval.
Still Pardew's side continued to struggle after the break as they surrendered possession far too easily, with returning midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote a yard of the pace throughout the contest.
The Magpies' carelessness on the ball proved to be their downfall as Wolves took advantage when Jarvis' deflected strike looped in over Tim Krul. The goal helped the visitors to grow in confidence and they found their leveller on 66 minutes when Doyle poked home after Jarvis' well placed free-kick caused chaos in the Newcastle penalty area.
A draw now within their grasp, Wolves did the expected and proceeded to sit back and protect the point that they had fought so valiantly for. Newcastle pressed, but were unable to break down a stubborn Wanderers' rearguard, and as a result the home side were reduced to a couple of unsuccessful long range efforts from Hatem Ben Arfa.
That was to be all she wrote for Newcastle, who were left to settle for a disappointing point which leaves them three points shy of Chelsea and Arsenal. The London pair now head the chase for the final Champions League place, but Newcastle remain in the hunt and will look to step up their chase by completing a league double over rivals Sunderland when the two sides meet at St James' Park on Sunday.
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