The striker returned after a two-game stint on the sidelines with a hernia problem and was a vital cog in the front line.

Magpies defender Fabricio Coloccini brought down the 26-year-old in the first minute, only for penalty protests to go unrewarded.

McDonald was in the action again in the 36th minute, as he exchanged passes with Barry Robson as the Scot made it 1-1 after an earlier goal from Peter Lovenkrands.

The Australian was on the scoresheet for the first time at his new club on 74 minutes.

Kiwi Chris Killen nodded a Robson free kick across the six-yard box and McDonald turned it in to give Boro the lead.

A late Andy Carroll equaliser secured a point for Newcastle.

McDonald's teammate and fellow Aussie Rhys Williams played a full game for the second time this year, continuing his return from a pelvic injury.

There was also good news in the top flight, as Tim Cahill made a return from a calf injury in Everton's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.

Cahill started for the first time in almost a month and forced a save from City keeper Joe Hart on 18 minutes.

He was replaced in the 75th minute as he continues to regain match fitness.

Also in the Premier League, midfielder Brett Emerton had a quiet game before being substituted on the hour mark in Blackburn's 3-1 loss at Tottenham. Teammate Vince Grella missed with a calf injury.

Richard Garcia failed to keep his starting place at Hull City as they conceded a devastating goal in stoppage time to go down 2-1 to Arsenal.

Garcia came on in the 73rd minute as the Tigers looked to hold on for a point after playing the second half with 10 men.

But it was not to be as Nicklas Bendtner secured all three points for the Gunners.

In the Championship, Adam Federici kept a clean sheet as Reading won 2-0 at home to Bristol City.

Nick Carle did not have the same luck, substituted at half time as Crystal Palace played out a scoreless draw at Barnsley.

In League One, Leeds United lost 1-0 at Southampton as Patrick Kisnorbo put in a full shift.

Neil Kilkenny was brought on in the 62nd minute while Shane Lowry has been sent back to Aston Villa to have scans on his injured knee.

Meanwhile, Dean Heffernan played the entire game as Huddersfield Town suffered their first home loss of the season, losing 3-1 to Norwich City.

Tranmere's Gareth Edds was relegated to the bench and was unused in a scoreless draw at Bristol City.

In League Two, Dean Bouzanis came on after half an hour as his side Accrington was reduced to 10 men and went on to win 2-1 at Barnet.

Wrapping up England, Oliver Bozanic put in a full shift for Aldershot as they lost 2-1 at Bradford City.

Elsewhere overnight, Hajduk Split's Josip Skoko got on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw with Rijeka.

The veteran put Split ahead in the 73rd minute from outside the area but they were pegged back late on.

James Wesolowski provided an assist as Hamilton beat St Mirren 1-0 in the Scottish Premier League.

Coming on in the 78th minute, Wesolowski flicked on a Brian Easton cross that was slotted home by Flavio Paixao in injury time.

In Scotland's First Division, Ryan McGowan and Simon Storey played on opposite sides as Ayr United drew 1-1 at Airdrie.

In the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar romped home a 6-2 win over last-placed RKC Waalwijk.

Striker Brett Holman came on in the 78th minute but could not get on the scoresheet for the second game in a row.

Craig Moore picked up a booking as Kavala were outclassed 3-0 by AEK Athens in the Greek capital.

In Romania, Spase Dilevski put in a full shift as Craiova moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory over Brasov.

:: Meanwhile former Roar defender Bob Malcolm had to be content with a place on Dundee's bench as they lost 2-1 to Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup after receiving international clearance from Brisbane during the week.