Songs were sung, flags fluttered and a sunny St.James' Park looked picture perfect as the first whistle sounded in an eagerly-awaited seasonal finale on home turf.

Not for the first time though, what followed was 90 minutes-plus of false hope and frustration; a perennial trademark to many present, but maybe less familiar to some of our new-found following.

Unlike the draw against Leicester City that rounded off last season's home programme, today's stalemate left Newcastle's hopes of European qualification hanging in the balance.

That task was never going to be decided today regardless of the scoreline, but there was something approaching a reasonable expectation that a depleted Brighton side would yield three points to further strengthen our hopes of returning to the continent for a second successive season.  

Recovering from going behind at least - a welcome trait we've developed this season - gained the point that means Eddie Howe's side go into their final two games holding on to sixth position - Wednesday's showdown at Old Trafford assuming epic, if not decisive, proportions.

A Seagulls side with nothing to play for were robust opponents; difficult to handle in possession and given free rein to waste time throughout the afternoon by some weak officiating.

Albion went ahead on 17 minutes when Pascal Gross's right wing corner was headed on by Danny Welbeck for Joel Veltman to fire home from close range at the Leazes End - Jacob Murphy making a failed attempt to block.

The visitors then came close to doubling that lead when Simon Adringa was able to centre from the left side of the box for Julio Enciso to wastefully head over. 

Half-chances for Alexander Isak and Sean Longstaff were rare moments of optimism for a labouring Magpies side, but they went in level after Anthony Gordon moved across the box and played a reverse pass for Elliot Anderson to centre and Longstaff to fire home first time.

1-1 at the start of the second period, hopes that the hosts had shaken off their lethargy proved false - Brighton threatening whenever they outwitted the press, Newcastle frustratingly unable to vary an approach of breaking down the right and making failed attempts to find colleagues in the opposition area.

A below-par Isak came off as part of the treble switch midway through the half - later confirmed to have been less than 100% but unlike the similarly-stricken Callum Wilson, able to feature. Whether Wilson's season is over remains to be seen, but Isak should be able to resume next time against Manchester United.

The arrival of Joelinton, Miggy Almiron and Harvey Barnes increased the frequency and rapidity of United's attacks, but visiting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen remained almost completely untested. 

Inspirational moments for once eluded Bruno Guimaraes, while the best two late chances fell to Barnes - who put one in the stand and the other weakly into the goalkeeper's arms.

Hope that Almiron had forced a breakthrough in the 87th minute was soon foiled by a raised offside flag against the Paraguayan as Gordon walked the ball home. Then came a hopeful penalty appeal by Gordon before Almiron went over on the edge of the box in added time - and was booked for a dive.

Following the full time whistle, players and their families embarked on the traditional end of season traipse round the SJP pitch - rightfully receiving adulation for their efforts during an epic season, regardless of how many competitions they end up in next time round.

Much still remains to be sorted though in our final two away games on Wednesday and Sunday: a three horse race between ourselves, Chelsea and Manchester United for two European spots,

Arsenal's 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday means a draw there on Wednesday will ensure no lower than a seventh placed finish. However, the scenario of the Red Devils nabbing a place by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup Final remains: our fate still may not be settled by next Sunday.

Biffa