Chris Hughton: "We are so very close and hopefully we can finish the job off in front of our own fans at St James' Park on Easter Monday (when they face Sheffield United).
"That would be an excellent reward for the supporters who have backed us so fantastically all season.
"You always want to wrap up promotion at the first available opportunity and while that didn't happen today, we know we are nearly there.
"We have shown all season that we have the character and resilience to come from behind and pick up results, and that is something we did again."