West Brom manager Bryan Robson and Newcastle counterpart Graeme Souness will be hoping miracles do happen if they are to achieve the ambitions they have set themselves for 2005.

Despite a third successive draw, and the first point Albion have gained under Robson at The Hawthorns since his arrival in mid-November after four successive defeats, the Baggies remain rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premiership and are now five points adrift of safety.

Souness, with his side shorn of three world-class strikers through injury, will perhaps be the more relieved to have gained this point.

But the Magpies are still in the wrong half of the table in 13th, and more importantly a mammoth 14 points off the Champions League placing they desperately require.

There was one moment in the first half that perfectly illustrated the plight currently being endured by Souness.

The Scot, sitting in the stands due to him serving a one-match suspension following a typically volatile touchline outburst during a recent match with Portsmouth, was seen in disbelief with his head resting against the bar in front of him.

It came as lone striker Shola Ameobi received treatment following a robust tackle from Andy Johnson, and you could almost read his thoughts, appreciating the fact Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert and Craig Bellamy were all back on Tyneside through injury.

Fortunately for Souness, who is currently in the process of shoring up his defence in the transfer window after signing Jean-Alain Boumsong and with Sylvain Distin on his shopping list, Ameobi was able to continue.

Further rough treatment followed, not least from Baggies skipper Darren Purse who was booked for a high challenge on Ameobi before the duo were then embroiled in a touchline skirmish after chasing a loose ball.

Purse's shirt tug was not particularly well received and it prompted Ameobi to wrestle his man to the ground, with the centre-back feigning being caught in the face, but not impressing referee Neale Barry.

Either side of that, it was still United who had the better of the first-half chances, initially in the fifth minute when Laurent Robert provided a piercing free-kick from the left wing into the heart of the Albion area.

Although Titus Bramble was allowed to rise unopposed to power in a header from six yards, it was directed straight at Russell Hoult when anything either side of the Albion 'keeper would have resulted in a goal.

Lee Bowyer, part of a five-man midfield behind Ameobi, struck the base of the right-hand post with a searching 20-yard drive as he looked to celebrate his 28th birthday in style, while Hoult superbly denied Robert from the rebound.

But Albion, buoyed by their two recent draws, were not without their opportunities as Shay Given was forced into a sprawling save to deny Ronnie Wallwork from 20 yards in the 12th minute.

Bramble's ensuing clearance was poor and fell to Paul Robinson on the left-hand edge of the area for a cross to the far post where Kanu headed wide from six yards.

The Nigerian then closed out the half with a sidefoot shot in the final minute that clipped the heel of Robert Earnshaw, with the ball looping agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

It could have gone either way after the half-time break as neither side took the initiative, although United held the upper hand in terms of possession and territorial advantage.

But their limited striking options ensured they struggled to find a way through their opponents' rearguard, and even when opportunities did arise, they failed to make the most of them.

Robert blazed high over the bar after skipping his way into a scoring position, while Bowyer's first touch to a pull-back from Charles N'Zogbia - a £250,000 summer signing from Le Havre making his first start - was poor, allowing Robinson to bravely block.

Given had done likewise a few minutes earlier to Geoff Horsfield after the striker was left clean through on goal following a Kanu flick on.

The Republic of Ireland international also comfortably collected an Earnshaw volley the Wales striker had driven into the ground after fine approach work involving Kanu and Robinson.

But despite industry and endeavour aplenty from both sides, for Robson and Souness, it produced the kind of blank neither man ultimately wanted.

Teams:

West Brom Hoult, Albrechtsen, Purse, Clement, Robinson, Scimeca, Johnson, Wallwork, Earnshaw, Horsfield, Kanu (Gera 83).

Subs Not Used: Koumas, Contra, Gaardsoe, Kuszczak.

Booked: Johnson, Purse.

Newcastle Given, Taylor, Bramble, Hughes, Bernard, N'Zogbia (Milner 76), Bowyer, Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Ameobi.

Subs Not Used: Andrew O'Brien, Ambrose, Brittain, Harper.

Att: 25,259

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).