Magpies pegged back after

NEWCASTLE failed to halt their recent slump as they were easily held to a draw at Birmingham.

It was Blues’ fifth successive game without a win under Gianfranco Zola, but they had every reason to be satisfied with a battling performance.

Newcastle failed to take advantage of Daryl Murphy’s early goal with Birmingham’s Lukas Jutkiewicz notching his ninth of the season late in the first half.

As it was Newcastle were unable to progress into the fourth round for the first time in six years.

Newcastle, who made eight changes including leaving top scorer, Dwight Gayle, on the bench, produced a very average performance and in the end were lucky to earn a second chance.

Murphy put them ahead after six minutes when he bustled home a corner from Achraf Lazaar. But the lead was gained at a heavy price as in the same incident Aleksandar Mitrovic sustained a leg injury and had to be stretchered off.

At this stage the Magpies were in complete control as they subjected Birmingham to some sustained pressure.

Deandre Yedlin had a good opportunity to increase the lead, but screwed his shot wide.

Newcastle’s initial supremacy abated as Birmingham battled to get back into it, but there was no real penetration.

Yoan Gouffran, who had taken over from Mitrovic, tested Adam Legzdins with a raking drive, but such scoring opportunities were limited.

Birmingham’s best attacking move occurred after Stephen Gleeson exposed the space on Newcastle’s left with a defence-splitting pass to Diego Fabbrini, who blazed his low shot well wide of the far post.

Goufran, however, had the best opportunity of increasing Newcastle’s lead following a mistake