Viduka's arrival as a 65th-minute replacement for the Obafemi Martins did not go down well with the locals.

The Australian almost made an impact within six minutes when he shot for goal from Owen's knock-down, but Pogatetz made a match-saving block to deny his former team-mate.

Martins very nearly snatched a derby victory at Middlesbrough as Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear celebrated the news he will be staying until the end of the season with a precious away point.

The Nigeria international hit the bar 10 minutes before the break as the Magpies threatened to claim their first Barclays Premier League away win of the season at the Riverside Stadium.

However, keeper Shay Given had to make a fine 75th-minute save from full-back Justin Hoyte as the Teessiders piled on the pressure after record signing Afonso Alves had passed up a series of chances.

Kinnear would have been the happier manager with opposite number Gareth Southgate having to make do with a point a week after seeing his side humbled 3-1 on their own patch by Bolton.

The former Wimbledon boss and his players arrived at the Riverside buoyed by last weekend's 0-0 draw at Chelsea, and the 61-year-old's appointment until the end of the season, which was announced yesterday.

However, as they ran out on a wintry Teesside afternoon, they knew they needed to head back up the A19 with something to show for their efforts after slipping back into the relegation zone despite their heroics at Stamford Bridge.

In a first half of few clear-cut chances - neither Ross Turnbull nor Given had a single save of any note to make - it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes before the break.

The industrious Danny Guthrie carved his way into the Boro penalty area and saw his shot blocked by Emanuel Pogatetz.

However, Martins was quickest to react and he span and thumped a left-foot shot against the crossbar with Turnbull beaten.

That was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock inside the opening 45 minutes, and although Nicky Butt went close with a curling 42nd-minute free-kick, the Teessiders too had their half-chances.

Stewart Downing, playing his 100th game at the Riverside, fired a right-foot shot over from distance with 17 minutes gone and Julio Arca curled another effort too high 14 minutes later.

Didier Digard might have given his side the perfect start to the second half had he connected with an ambitious volley within seconds of the restart, but he competely missed his kick.

However, Guthrie went much closer at the other end two minutes later when, after his side had broken from deep, he drilled a right-foot effort just wide.

Pogatetz had to hack away a 52nd-minute Charles N'Zogbia cross inside the six-yard box after the Frenchman had carved his way inside from the left with the game opening up nicely.

Alves saw a 55th-minute shot deflected wide after Digard had done well to find him on the edge of the box, although he was slow to react to Jose Enrique's error three minutes later, and Sebastien Bassong had to come to his rescue with Jeremie Aliadiere looming.

Boro were starting to mount a concerted threat and N'Zogbia had to clear a 61st-minute Aliadiere header of the line from Downing's corner after Habib Beye had blocked another Alves shot.

But there was drama too at the other end and Martins saw a long-range effort clip a defender and drop just wide.

But Given had to come to the rescue at the other end with 15 minutes to go when he got down smartly at his near post to keep out Hoyte's shot agter the full-back had played a neat one-two with Alidaiere.