Shay The Only Irishman Who Didn't Know Where Dublin Was!

Lee thundered in a 40-yard pile-driver which flew past Coventry keeper Steve Ogrizovic with just four minutes remaining.

His rocket shot stole the thunder away from Coventry striker Dion Dublin whose two-goal blast looked to have sunk the Geordies.

Dublin capitalised on Given's mistake, and after emergency striker John Barnes had equalised for Newcastle, the giant striker looked to have settled the issue with just nine minutes remaining.

But Lee salvaged a share of the spoils that was well merited by Kenny Dalglish's side - although their sequence without a win has now been stretched to six matches.

For Coventry skipper Gary McAllister was an impressive figure in the centre of the park and he looks to be back to his best form.

But Barnes deserves credit for operating effectively in his forward role as Dalglish was again forced into stop-gap measures because of his striking injury crisis.

Coventry went ahead in bizarre fashion after five minutes - after a lapse of concentration by Given.

There appeared little danger when Given, under pressure from Dublin, collected a swinging left-wing centre from McAllister.

He then released the ball to prepare to take a long clearance upfield - clearly having forgotten about the presence of Dublin whose momentum hadtaken him behind the goal-line.

But Dublin then reappeared on the pitch to whip the ball past the startled Given into the unguarded net.

Referee Paul Durkin initially and somewhat inexplicably ruled out Dublin's effort but after protests from Coventry's players and after consulting with his assistant he allowed the goal to stand.

Newcastle overcame this shock setback and Robert Lee fired a 25-yard effort just over the bar after playing a neat one-two with Temuri Ketsbaia.

They lost England midfielder David Batty through injury after 30 minutes, but within 60 seconds had got back on level terms.

Phillippe Albert ducked under a centre from Steve Watson and the ball found its way to Keith Gillespie who fired in a fierce cross-shot.

Coventry keeper Ogrizovic could not hold the effort and Barnes was on hand to make no mistake from close range.

Newcastle started the second half in impressive fashion and Ogrizovic saved bravely at the feet of Ketsbaia after a incisive one-two with Barnes.

The Coventry keeper then turned a 25-yard effort from Albert around thepost but then Huckerby was guilty of a dreadful miss at the other end.

Nilsson capitalised on a slip to leave Coventry with a 3-1 numerical advantage as they attacked the Newcastle goal.

Nilsson played the right ball to find Huckerby unmarked 10 yards out butafter steadying himself he sliced his shot over the bar.

Newcastle then enjoyed a golden spell with Ogrizovic saving a Gillespie header and Nilsson clearing off the line from Watson.

Coventry looked to have snatched the points in the 81st minute when he netted from close range after Given had beaten out a pile-driver from Paul Williams.

But with four minutes left Lee came up trumps with his rocket shot to salvage a point for United.

 

NEWCASTLE v COVENTRY - THE PREMIERSHIP YEARS:

 2004/2005 Sat 29 Jan Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Coventry City F.A. Cup  
 2000/2001 Sat 13 Jan Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Coventry City Premiership  
  Wed 06 Sep Coventry City 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
 1999/2000 Sat 29 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
  Sat 16 Oct Coventry City 4 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
 1998/1999 Wed 17 Feb Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Coventry City Premiership  
  Sat 19 Sep Coventry City 1 - 5 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
 1997/1998 Sat 14 Mar Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
  Sat 08 Nov Coventry City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
 1996/1997 Sat 15 Mar Newcastle Utd. 4 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
  Tue 17 Dec Coventry City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
 1995/1996 Sun 14 Jan Coventry City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
  Sat 19 Aug Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
 1994/1995 Sat 17 Dec Coventry City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership  
  Wed 24 Aug Newcastle Utd. 4 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
 1993/1994 Wed 23 Feb Newcastle Utd. 4 - 0 Coventry City Premiership  
  Sat 08 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Coventry City F.A. Cup  
  Wed 18 Aug Coventry City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership