Duncan Ferguson's second goal in four days earned Newcastle a vital draw just as it looked as if Michael Owen had ended Bobby Robson's unbeaten home run.

The Scot pounced with a deft 66th-minute header to give his side a share of the points and extend their run at St James's Park to 10 games without defeat.

But the home side very nearly gifted Liverpool all three points as they handed a double to Owen despite taking an early lead.

Alan Shearer's 17th of the season gave his side the advantage with just 11 minutes gone, but Owen cashed in on some dreadful defending either side of half-time to put the visitors in front.

But Ferguson's effort on a day when he was well marshalled by Sammi Hyypia and Jamie Carragher ensured a point from a fixture which has not been too kind to the Magpies in recent seasons.

Owen and Titi Camara were always a handful, but it was a spirited Newcastle display, exemplified by the excellent Warren Barton, which secured them their draw.

With Portuguese defender Helder out with a groin injury, Alessandro Pistone returned from a bout of flu to line up at left-back as Aaron Hughes moved into the middle.

Kevin Gallacher had to make do with a place on the bench despite a series of impressive displays as Kieron Dyer won a start after his glittering cameo role against Tottenham in midweek.

Liverpool also made to changes to the side which beat Coventry 2-0 last time, Rigobert Song replacing the suspended Stephane Henchoz and Danny Murphy coming in for David Thompson

Shearer had warned fans not to expect another 6-1 and his caution proved well-founded as the visitors held sway for long periods before the break.

Keeper Sander Westerveld had to punch Nolberto Solano's free-kick off Ferguson's head with just three minutes gone, but it was opposite number Steve Harper who was the busier in the early minutes as the Reds forced a series of corners.

It took a well-timed tackle from Barton to dispossess Owen inside the box and Hughes had to be at his best to rob Camara after Dietmar Hamann played him in over the top.

But the opening goal when it came was slightly against the run of play after Murphy was penalised for a foul on Gary Speed wide on the Newcastle left.

Solano's free-kick was bent in towards the near post and Shearer got in front of his man to get the slightest of touches to send the ball past Westerveld.

But it was Liverpool who created the better chances as the looked for a way back into the game, and Camara's cheeky flick over Hughes set up another promising attack which was eventually snuffed out by Rob Lee on the edge of his own penalty area.

Camara shot straight at Harper after Murphy had played him in on 21 minutes and the United keeper needed a hand from Nicos Dabizas after he could only parry Patrik Berger's fierce drive nine minutes later.

But Liverpool levelled 14 minutes before the break when Owen sailed past Pistone on the left and fired low past Harper, his fifth in as many games against the men from Tyneside.

The visitors almost benefited from some haphazard defending on 44 minutes when Harper fumbled Dabizas' misplaced header, but the Greek defender recovered well to hack Owen's cross away.

Westerveld was back in action three minutes after the break when he had to tip Barton's piledriver over, and he had to save again from Shearer's effort from the resulting corner.

Speed sent a 51st-minute header wide after good work by Barton and Solano on the right, but Newcastle's hopes were dealt a blow a minute later when Dyer limped off.

They still had only 10 men on the pitch when Dabizas committed the cardinal sin of attempting to deliver a needless back-pass to Harper from all of 50 yards and only succeeded in giving Owen a clear run on goal.

The diminutive striker kept his head to draw Harper and then slide the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Stephen Glass replaced Dyer before the game restarted and he went close within six minutes when he sent a difficult half-volleyed chance over from Solano's cross.

But United escaped a minute later when Owen picked up another loose back-pass from Lee only for Murphy to head straight at Harper.

However, the home side were back on terms with 66 minutes gone when Ferguson, who had been having a quiet game, finally managed to make an impact.

Barton curled a cross into the box where the Scot got free to stoop and send a glancing header past Westerveld.

Gallacher replaced Solano on 73 minutes as Newcastle pushed for the victory, but it was the arrival of Robbie Fowler as an 83rd-minute substitute which warmed the travelling supporters.

The home side continued to press as the seconds ticked away, but the home supporters left content with a point after a tough battle.

Teams:

Newcastle: Harper, Barton, Hughes, Dabizas, Pistone, Solano (Gallacher 73), Lee, Speed, Dyer (Glass 53), Ferguson (Ketsbaia 90), Shearer.

Subs Not Used: Given, Marcelino.

Goals: Shearer 12, Ferguson 67.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Song, Carragher, Hyypia, Matteo, Gerrard, Hamann, Murphy (Fowler 82), Berger, Camara (Heggem 69), Owen.

Subs Not Used: Friedel, Staunton, Traore.

Goals: Owen 31, 52.

Att: 36,445

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).