Injuries mar Toon advance on Europe

Newcastle 1 Maritimo 1

The striker, who might even have snatched victory deep into stoppage time, came off the bench to cancel out Sylvain Marveaux’s first Magpies goal 11 minutes from time and allow Bordeaux to climb to the top of Group D by virtue of their 2-1 victory over Club Brugge in Belgium.

Alan Pardew’s men will now have to win in France on December 6 if they are to snatch back top spot in a game which will be a dead rubber in terms of qualification, but upon which much could rest as the Champions League drop-outs prepare to enter the competition in the new year.

A draw was no less than the visitors deserved on a night when Newcastle once again played in fits and starts.

However, the result was not the only disappointment for Pardew, who saw the in-form Hatem Ben Arfa limp off with a hamstring injury and striker Papiss Cisse follow him down the tunnel.

Although Ben Arfa made a quiet start to the game he soon warmed to his task. He had already tested the mettle of the Maritimo defence with a couple of fleet-footed runs when he collected Gael Bigirimana’s 23rd-minute pass and fed it perfectly into the run of compatriot Marveaux.

The winger accelerated clear before sliding a left-footed shot through Romain Salin’s legs to open his Newcastle account.

With Ben Arfa going off before the break and Cisse just after it, Newcastle remained less than convincing.

It was no surprise then when Fidelis burst past first Steven Taylor and then Fabricio Coloccini to blast home an equaliser.

NEWCASTLE: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Marveaux, Bigirimana, Anita, Sammy Ameobi (Abeid 76), Ben Arfa (Ba 40), Cisse (Amalfitano 50).

MARITIMO: Salin, Joao Diogo, Roberge, Marcio Rosario, Ruben Ferreira, Joao Luiz, Rafael Miranda, David Simao (Ruben Brigido 73), Danilo Dias, Adilson (Fidelis 59), Sami.

Referee: Danny Makkelie (Ned).