A defensive lapse with eight minutes remaining denied Newcastle what would have been an excellent win over Watford, as they concluded their 2018 fixture programme at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

It was a tale of two headers: Salomon Rondon's close range effort giving his side an interval lead, only for Abdoulaye Doucoure to reply in similar fashion from slightly further out in the closing stages. 

What initially looked like a good away point against the Hornets however was quickly tarnished by added time winners for fellow strugglers Cardiff City and Fulham, leaving Rafa's side just four points off the relegation zone and eight ahead of basement side Huddersfield Town.

Christian Atsu, Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon were all recalled after missing the Boxing Day trip to Anfield, Yoshinori Muto and Joselu dropped back down to the bench and both Kenedy and Shaun Longstaff were omitted from the matchday squad.

Playing on a ground where they had never recorded a top-flight victory and in bizarre warm weather (12 degrees), the Magpies were second best in the opening stages; Martin Dubrakva applauded by the Toon contingent behind his goal after denying Gerard Deulofeu with his feet in the 16th minute.

At the other end, Rondon had one effort ruled out for offside and another in similar circumstances after the Venezuelan had given his side a 29th minute lead. 

That came when Matt Ritchie's left wing cross was played to the far post, Rondon getting ahead of his marker to head in a fifth Premier League goal of the season from close range.

The goal visibly boosted United's confidence and they began to assert themselves in midfield, Isaac Hayden and Mo Diame both showing some welcome solidity as the visitors began to dictate the tempo better. Aside from the assist for the goal, Matt Ritchie also had his best game for a while.  

A hip problem meant that Federico Fernandez was unable to continue and Fabian Schar took his place for the second half, United seeking a second goal rather than trying to close out the game. 

Rondon remained the focus of the attack and at times was almost single-handedly occupying the Hornets defence, receiving good support from Christian Atsu - whose energetic display was in total contrast to the fitful contribution of Perez throughout. 

There was a first sighting of Jonjo Shelvey in six games when he appeared from the bench, but the midfielder looked less than fully fit and in no mood to take any risks.  

Having spent most of the game on his backside in pathetic attempts to win free kicks, Isaac Success was joined by Troy Deeney and Doucoure as the Hornets belatedly swarmed forward.

However their equaliser was still slightly unexpected, with just eight minutes left when Doucoure was allowed far too much room head past Dubravka following Deulofeu's centre from the right. Replays showed Schar remonstrating with Shelvey for failing to follow the goalscorer's run into the area.

Both sides had chances to claim the victory; Rondon laying the ball off for DeAndre Yedlin to blast just wide before Doucoure missed the target at the other end when well placed and Dubravka denied Success at the end of time added on.

United remained 15th in the Premier League but results elsewhere made the table look worse than at the start of the day, Sunday's four games further muddling the picture at the bottom:

 
Biffa