Birmingham's never-say-die spirit under manager Steve Bruce again came to the fore in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

Just when it seemed a game they had dominated was slipping away from them, substitute Stern John came up with the equaliser in stoppage time to cancel out the opener from Gary Speed.

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson will no doubt be asking question about his side's ability to see a game out.

Former Ipswich playmaker Darren Ambrose came in from the start for the visitors following the departure of Nolberto Solano to Aston Villa. Kieron Dyer partnered Alan Shearer up front with Craig Bellamy, as expected, on the bench.

Bellamy came on for the last 15 minutes after his recovery from a knee injury suffered four month ago.

Birmingham winger Stan Lazaridis returned to the team after a calf problem as both David Dunn and Stephen Clemence are injured. Striker Mikael Forssell was also recalled to the starting line-up.

Laurent Robert tried his luck with a 25-yard free-kick for the visitors in the fourth minute only to send his effort straight into goalkeeper Maik Taylor's body.

Birmingham hit back and Robbie Savage released Clinton Morrison but Shay Given raced quickly off his line to avert the danger.

It was a bright opening by the home side and Forssell got clear only to find himself crowded out on the edge of the area.

Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard slipped while in possession in the 11th minute and Forssell latched on to the chance. He sent a superbly-weighted ball out to Bryan Hughes, who was scampering away down the left.

Hughes raced on but hurried his shot and only succeeded in finding the fans at the back of the stand with his effort.

Then Morrison got on the end of a cross from Damien Johnson but couldn't get enough power on his shot.

Newcastle were again guilty of some sloppy play in the 17th minute when Andy O'Brien gave the ball away cheaply. Lazaridis homed in on goal but his effort did not trouble Given on his line.

There was a moment of danger for Birmingham after 23 minutes when Shearer evaded his marker for the first time.

The former England striker got on the end of a free-kick from Robert, only to see his header go narrowly wide.

Birmingham pushed forward in the 26th minute when Hughes made space for himself on the edge of the area. He thundered in a shot which rebounded off Newcastle defender O'Brien to safety.

Olivier Tebily then launched a long ball into the path of Forssell but he was slow to react.

Newcastle took the lead in the 36th minute with a goal out of the blue to stun the home supporters.

Ambrose released Speed and from 30 yards out he beat Taylor with an thunderous shot, which seemed to clip the post on the way in. It was the Wales midfielder's third goal of the season - and it is unlikely he has hit a shot any sweeter.

Birmingham should have equalised a minute into the second half when Morrison got clear down the left. The striker sent Lazaridis away and he cut the ball back into the path of Hughes six yards out.

Hughes, however, could not make the most of the chance and lifted his effort over the top.

Birmingham squandered another great opportunity in the 49th minute when Damien Johnson cleared the bar with Given out of position.

Newcastle had found themselves in trouble after a careless back pass from Jonathan Woodgate. Morrison was left clear but Given stood tall to get his team-mate off the hook.

It was decent spell of pressure by Birmingham and Tebily raced forward in the 58th minute. He stung the fingers of Given with a fierce shot from distance to hearten the home supporters.

Then Savage picked up a loose ball 25 yards out but was unable to test the Newcastle goalkeeper with his effort.

Newcastle were finding it difficult to get any rhythm going in the second half with both Shearer and Dyer being starved of service.

Wales striker Bellamy came on in the 75th minute when he replaced the tiring Ambrose.

Jermaine Jenas could have added a second for Newcastle in the 86th minute but the ball got stuck under his feet following a cross from Dyer.

The John grabbed the equaliser when he ghosted in at the far post to get on the end of a Kenny Cunningham free-kick.

Teams:

Birmingham: Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Purse, Kenna, Johnson (John 76), Savage, Hughes, Lazaridis, Forssell, Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Carter, Kirovski, Clapham.

Booked: Savage.

Goals: John 90.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Woodgate, Bernard, Ambrose (Bellamy 75), Jenas, Speed, Robert (Viana 88), Shearer, Dyer.

Subs Not Used: Griffin, Harper, Ameobi.

Booked: Bernard, Woodgate, Bellamy, Viana.

Goals: Speed 37.

Att: 29,513

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).