Newcastle could only muster a point against Portsmouth at St James' Park, which has left their Premier League future hanging in the balance.
Resolute defending from Pompey left the home fans frustrated early on as Newcastle struggled to create chances.
When they did wasteful finishing from Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, as well as a string of saves from David James kept them out.
Pompey almost won it late on when Richard Hughes's header hit the post.
The result lifted the Magpies up to third-bottom in the Premier League, three points behind Hull, but the frustration of the crowd at the failure to pick up three points was evident as boos rang out on the final whistle.
With just four goals in the last eight games Newcastle manager Alan Shearer opted to start with three strikers in his side in the shape of Viduka, Owen and Martins.
Resolute defending from Pompey left the home fans frustrated early on as Newcastle struggled to create chances.
When they did wasteful finishing from Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka, as well as a string of saves from David James kept them out.
Pompey almost won it late on when Richard Hughes's header hit the post.
The result lifted the Magpies up to third-bottom in the Premier League, three points behind Hull, but the frustration of the crowd at the failure to pick up three points was evident as boos rang out on the final whistle.
With just four goals in the last eight games Newcastle manager Alan Shearer opted to start with three strikers in his side in the shape of Viduka, Owen and Martins.
Despite the rousing atmosphere at St James' Park the home side struggled to find anything in the way of free-flowing football early on as well-organised Portsmouth managed to take the wind out of their sails with a resolute, defensive opening 20 minutes that would have delighted boss Paul Hart.
It was Portsmouth who created the first real chance 15 minutes in when a free kick on the edge of the area rebounded to Glenn Johnson who drifted towards goal, fired his shot in low but Fabio Coloccini got a touch ahead of Peter Crouch to avert the danger.
As whistles began to echo around St James' Park, Pompey may have thought their early job as spoilers was done but a half volley from Alan Smith, which deflected off the arm of Hermann Hreidarsson, had the home fans on their feet screaming for a penalty which Mike Riley waved away.
An air of tense desperation seemed to hang over Tyneside as Newcastle spurned a series of chances as Damien Duff tested James with an 18-yrad right-footed drive, Viduka headed over from close range and Martins smashed a volley over the bar from 8-yards-out when he should have done better.
Desperation levels were cranked up in the second half as, with Pompey restricted to counter attacking forays, the home side continued to miss chances, partially due to James' imposing presence in the Portsmouth goal and partially due to wasteful Magpies finishing.
Owen's deft back heel set Viduka free 45 second into second half, but the Australian's shot was straight into the body of James.
Martins was set clear one on one with James but the England goalkeeper stood firm before doing the same when Owen was one on one, although the former Real Madrid striker will know he should have done better.
Moments earlier James suffered one of the calamitous moments that have peppered his career, when he dropped a cross from Duff into the path of Viduka but the striker could not capitalise.
Newcastle hearts were in mouths when Riley again waved away penalty claims, this time more debatably, when Coloccini caught Peter Crouch late with a sliding challenge which sent the font man crashing to the turf.
Newcastle released men forward to try and win the game but they were left wide open at the back and looked like they might finish with nothing as Nadir Belhadj burst through and forced a top draw save from Steve Harper.
As the Newcastle players tired the chance of recording a first home win of 2009 evaporated.
Portsmouth continued to push on and were agonisingly close when Richard Hughes looped a header on to the post.
It was Portsmouth who created the first real chance 15 minutes in when a free kick on the edge of the area rebounded to Glenn Johnson who drifted towards goal, fired his shot in low but Fabio Coloccini got a touch ahead of Peter Crouch to avert the danger.
As whistles began to echo around St James' Park, Pompey may have thought their early job as spoilers was done but a half volley from Alan Smith, which deflected off the arm of Hermann Hreidarsson, had the home fans on their feet screaming for a penalty which Mike Riley waved away.
An air of tense desperation seemed to hang over Tyneside as Newcastle spurned a series of chances as Damien Duff tested James with an 18-yrad right-footed drive, Viduka headed over from close range and Martins smashed a volley over the bar from 8-yards-out when he should have done better.
Desperation levels were cranked up in the second half as, with Pompey restricted to counter attacking forays, the home side continued to miss chances, partially due to James' imposing presence in the Portsmouth goal and partially due to wasteful Magpies finishing.
Owen's deft back heel set Viduka free 45 second into second half, but the Australian's shot was straight into the body of James.
Martins was set clear one on one with James but the England goalkeeper stood firm before doing the same when Owen was one on one, although the former Real Madrid striker will know he should have done better.
Moments earlier James suffered one of the calamitous moments that have peppered his career, when he dropped a cross from Duff into the path of Viduka but the striker could not capitalise.
Newcastle hearts were in mouths when Riley again waved away penalty claims, this time more debatably, when Coloccini caught Peter Crouch late with a sliding challenge which sent the font man crashing to the turf.
Newcastle released men forward to try and win the game but they were left wide open at the back and looked like they might finish with nothing as Nadir Belhadj burst through and forced a top draw save from Steve Harper.
As the Newcastle players tired the chance of recording a first home win of 2009 evaporated.
Portsmouth continued to push on and were agonisingly close when Richard Hughes looped a header on to the post.
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