Newcastle United vs Leeds United. Sky Bet Championship.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,301.
Saturday 15 April 2017 19:24, UK
Chris Wood scored an injury-time equaliser as play-off hopefuls Leeds snatched a potentially crucial point in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Friday.
Alfonso Pedraza hit the bar for Leeds in the first half at St James' Park before Yoan Gouffran struck the post.
But Newcastle dominated after the break and looked like they would go on to take all three points after Jamaal Lascelles headed home in the 67th minute.
However, Wood levelled in the 95th minute to boost Leeds after play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham both won earlier in the day.
The draw means Newcastle cannot be promoted from the Championship on Monday, and they are now four points behind leaders Brighton after their 2-0 win at Wolves.
Huddersfield are eight points behind the Magpies with a game in hand after their dramatic 3-2 victory over Preston.
With top scorer Dwight Gayle out injured, Aleksandar Mitrovic started up front for Newcastle, while Liam Bridcutt replaced Ronaldo Vieira for the visitors.
It was Leeds who went closest in the early exchanges as Alfonso Pedraza cut in from the left side of the box and smacked a shot against the underside of the bar.
But Newcastle started to apply more pressure as the half wore on, with Jonjo Shelvey almost catching Rob Green out with an in-swinging corner and Matt Ritchie firing over the bar after a one-two with Mitrovic.
Pedraza shot across goal in a rare break from Leeds, but Newcastle finished the half strongly.
Yoan Gouffran hit the post with a low shot from just outside the box before Chancel Mbemba's header was well saved and then Ayoze Perez's effort was blocked.
Newcastle continued to dominate after the break and had penalty appeals turned away when Luke Ayling appeared to drag down Mbemba from a corner.
Pontus Jansson headed clear after Mitrovic flicked the ball past Green, but Newcastle eventually broke through in the 67th minute when Mitrovic played a cross back across goal and Lascelles headed into the bottom corner.
Newcastle pressed for more as Perez was denied from close range by Green and then Mitrovic headed over.
But Leeds snatched a dramatic equaliser with almost the last kick of the match as Kemar Roofe's cross was turned in by Wood.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez
"It is difficult to explain and understand. Credit to their keeper but also there are a lot of instances I don't understand. I don't know why there were five minutes of injury-time, but we did make a mistake in defending our position.
"The team deserved to win with the way we played and the passion and commitment."
Leeds manager Garry Monk
"It leaves a good feeling. It shows the spirit in the group, we have come a long way and the competitiveness in the group is one of our strengths. You saw that with the way we went right to the end and the belief to come here against a very good side and get something.
"We have quality and we know we can play better than we did in the second half, but we fought and made it competitive. They stuck in right to the end."
