Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa: Captain Jamaal Lascelles converts a towering header in stoppage time to salvage what could be a HUGE point for Steve Bruce's under-fire side in their battle to avoid the drop

This could prove a costly point for Newcastle United.

That may sound like skewed logic, but just maybe a defeat would have brought about the change of manager that supporters - and some players - desperately want.

Not now, however. The hierarchy are looking for a reason not to sack Steve Bruce, and Jamaal Lascelles’ 94th-minute header gave them that.

It is often said that Steve McClaren won too many matches as Newcastle boss, and so it kept him in a job when it was glaringly obvious a new man was needed.