Character was something that Brewers boss Nigel Clough was delighted with from his Burton side as they pushed the leaders all the way.
Having previously described the game as a "mismatch" between the biggest side in the league and the smallest, he was immensely proud of his side's efforts.
"A couple of errors in the lead-up to their goals has cost us but apart from that I thought our lads were outstanding today, in everything that they did," said Clough. "Their effort and honesty shines through to us but alongside that today they played with quality.
"We have put two great performances together in the last four days and got no points and I think that will change in the second half of the season."
Relegation favourites at the start of the season, Albion have not been in the bottom three at all and head into Christmas with a two-point gap back to the three teams in the drop zone.
"I hope we can stay out of it for the next four months as well," Clough said. "We are going to try everything we can to do it, but it's not easy when you are battling against the likes of Newcastle. As long as the players keep giving everything, as they did today, we will stick by them."