Manchester City kept their Premiership survival hopes alive with a last-gasp goal to end a run of eight consecutive defeats by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Steve Howey's late strike levelled the scores after Teddy Sheringham, celebrating his Footballer of the Year award, had scored from the spot.

Paul Scholes had already missed one penalty kick before Sheringham took charge to score his 21st goal of the season.

But the match ended on an unhappy note for Ferguson, as skipper Roy Keane was sent off for the eighth time in his United career for a reckless foul on Alfie Haaland.

City's chances of Premiership survival are still slim, but a point at Old Trafford does not come easy.

To United, the match meant little more than pride. In his programme notes, Sir Alex Ferguson had expressed his disappointment at United's Champions League exit, and said he knows "exactly what needs to be done".

A new striker is top of that list, as highlighted by confirmation that United are back in talks to sign PSV's Ruud van Nistelrooy.

And a sign that Ferguson is not entirely happy with is formation, was the United boss taking the opportunity to experiment with a new set-up. David Beckham was given licence to roam in midfield, while Gary Neville played at centre-back with Wes Brown at right-back.

Ferguson might have ben regretting his tinkerings as, less than four minutes into the game, City came so close to stunning their opponents. United failed to deal with a free-kick and Gerard Wiekens hooked in a shot which deflected onto the crossbar with Fabien Barthez stranded.

United had another amazing escape when Phil Neville lost the ball to Paulo Wanchope, and, though he whisked the ball part Barthez, the Costa Rican was pushed wide and Jaap Stam was able to block his tame shot.

Scholes rattled in a shot from 20 yards after Keane's set-up, but Carlo Nash held on well with Sheringham waiting to pounce on any slip-up.

Luke Chadwick weaved a path through the City defence before forcing Nash into a save, while at the other end Paul Dickov was not far off target from 20 yards.

After half-an-hour, Beckham struck a 30-yard free-kick which appeared to be curling in but just went the wrong side of the post.

City's early head of steam began to evaporate, and a little bit of Beckham brilliance nearly took United into the lead.

Barthez struck a long clearance down the middle and Beckham had a head start to outpace the City defence, then lifted a volleyed lob over Nash, but over the bar too.

Two minutes before the break, Sheringham's astute pass set up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but Nash pulled off a diving save to deny the Norwegian.

Solskjaer was the first to threaten in the second half after being fed by Beckham, but his shot lacked power and Nash was not troubled.

A classic United move involving Beckham, Sheringham, Scholes and then Beckham again saw the England captain fire in a shot from the edge of the box, but a deflection took it wide.

Andrei Kanchelskis, on as a half-time substitute, had a wicked-looking shot blocked by his own team-mate before, with an hour gone, United contrived to earn and miss a penalty.

Brown won the spot-kick, being felled by Dickov as he chased Beckham's through-ball. Scholes took the penalty, but pulled his shot horribly and missed the target by a couple of feet.

Dickov, seemingly trying is best to hand United the lead, attempted a ludicrous back-pass which Solskjaer intercepted. Like Wanchope earlier, he tried to go past the keeper rather than shoot straight away and Nash did excellently to get a hand to the ball and force him away.

Keane was inches wide with a fierce strike, before United won a second penalty when Solskjaer turned Richard Dunne and the City defender caught the Norwegian's leg.

Barthez ran up to offer his services, and though Old Trafford pleaded en masse for the keeper to be given a go, Sheringham stepped up to clip the spot-kick low into the corner, though Nash very nearly saved it.

It seemed all over for City, but six minutes from time Howey put the visitors level and seconds later Keane was sent off by referee David Elleray.

Dickov's corner was flicked on at the near-post and Howey bundled it over the line from close range.

Then Keane's red mist descended and he was given a straight red card after a nasty foul on Alfie Haaland.

Teams

Man Utd: Barthez, Brown (Silvestre 69), Gary Neville, Stam, Phil Neville, Beckham, Keane, Scholes (Butt 76), Chadwick (Giggs 61), Solskjaer, Sheringham.

Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Fortune.

Sent Off: Keane (86).

Goals: Sheringham 71 pen.

Man City: Nash, Haaland, Dunne, Howey, Granville, Whitley, Wiekens (Prior 69), Grant (Kanchelskis 46), Charvet, Dickov, Wanchope, Kanchelskis (Goater 85).

Subs Not Used: Weaver, Kennedy.

Goals: Howey 84.

Att: 67,535

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