Newcastle are two wins away from sealing a Champions League place after coming from behind to take a point against a Leeds side fighting for their Premier League survival with renewed vigour. 

An incident-packed encounter featured four goals, three spot kick awards, one red card and one pitch invader. The latter came from a home area in second half added time; grabbing Eddie Howe's arm before being bundled away by stewards and security staff and into a Bridewell taxi. Quite what prompted that confrontation is unclear, but it's hard to imagine a less offensive target than our boss.

The coolest man inside a fevered Elland Road was the visiting number nine, shutting out considerable white noise to convert penalty kicks in each half. Callum Wilson's latest brace turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 advantage, but he and his colleagues didn't have quite enough in them to claim victory.

What had seemed like an eminently winnable fixture arguably became less so 10 days before matchday, when Sam Allardyce was tempted back to the touchline at the age of 68 - getting on for two years after failing to prevent West Bromwich Albion's top flight exit.

Winless in six games, the expected early enthusiasm was repaid with a goal from their first attack; Luke Ayling finishing from close range on seven minutes after Nick Pope spilled Rodrigo's header.

However the Magpies custodian soon atoned for that, blocking Patrick Bamford's 28th minute penalty after Joelinton had upended Junior Firpo in the area.

And within three minutes the blue-clad visitors were level; Maximilian Wober illegally challenging Alexander Isak at the other end of the pitch and Callum Wilson firing in from 12 yards.

That equaliser heralded a period of first half dominance from Newcastle in which they enjoyed extended periods of possession without carving out clear-cut scoring opportunities, Miguel Almiron enjoying his most industrious period of the game as his side channeled their attacks down the right.

The second half was a similar story; neither side able to properly seize the initiative and Leeds unsure of whether to stick or twist. Eddie Howe spoke of being rushed when around the box, but at times we were perhaps guilty of overplaying and the familiar set piece frustrations were evident.

Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin were stripped and ready when Joe Willock's cross from the left towards Isak was handled in the box by Firpo. The Swede's reaction and pursuit of the referee played a part in Newcastle's second penalty award of the game, as did Joelinton urging Trippier to contest the decision - the visiting captain initially trying to wave his number 7 back to defend.  

Some disgraceful antics from goalkeeper Joel Robles failed to distract Wilson confidently converting his second of the afternoon to reach seventeen goals this season. 2-1 could then have become 3-1 as the visitors sought to exploit spaces that appeared as Leeds committed players forward, Saint-Maximin rightly ruled offside as he took Isak's pass and struck from close range.

However a scruffy second goal saw the hosts claw their way back to parity on 79 minutes, Rasmus Kristensen's shot deflecting in off Trippier and past Pope after a corner wasn't fully dealt with.

Newcastle pressed forward again for a winner but were unable to find one; Trippier's added time free-kick blocked after Firpo's foul on Gordon was punished by a second booking for the Leeds man.

Leeds seemed content to run the clock down and take the point rather than launching a last-gasp bid to collect all three; the earlier booking for their goalkeeper inevitably giving him the freedom to do what he liked, secure in the knowledge the referee wouldn't court controversy with further censure.

That's no win in two games then for Big Sham (none in nine counting his Baggies stint), as he hit halfway in his short-term deal needing to collect points against West Ham and Spurs to avoid another relegation on his CV. 

Two losses would cook his goose, but any sort of return allied to the failings of other sides could see him boost his wine and gravy fund. Victory for Newcastle over Leicester next week could be as pivotal to the survival hopes of Leeds as today's point. Maybe he'll buy another Casa St.James'?    

For Newcastle meanwhile, the frustration of some about failing to win wasn't shared by ourselves. 

The Allardyce effect undeniably changed the nature of this contest, along with a Magpies squad beginning to creak after a season of incredible effort and the most cup games in a decade. 

Inevitably, attention fell on the midfield again today with Sean Longstaff sidelined, Bruno playing on reduced power and Murphy not risked. Ignoring the variable contribution of ASM, Anthony Gordon may yet have a significant role to play this season while we've just about got away with coaxing Joelinton beyond a three match ban. He's now three bookings short with three games to play.

Defensively we're also light; with three left backs on the bench and the injury to Jamaal Lascelles meaning the withdrawal of Botman or Fabian Schar would result in our fielding a patched-up back line.

This point ensures that home wins over Brighton and Leicester would put us beyond the chasing sides and render the final day comparatively meaningless. It could also prove to be valuable if in winning their last three games, Liverpool overturned our superior goal difference. A final day visit to already-relegated Southampton could be significant in that respect.

We've reached a critical moment in a season that is already an incredible success.  Some perspective as to the possible outcomes is required; from a relegation fight to a Europa League place in 12 months is pretty remarkable, even if joining the really big lads eludes us this time.

It promises to be a nervous watch, but unlike many recent seasons, it's not a fearful one.

Biffa