Defender Sebastien Bassong was the next to have a go, almost breaking the deadlock at the start of the second half but his header brushed the upright from a Shola Ameobi cross.
Ryan Taylor rattled the bar from 12 yards on 50 minutes and Fabrizio Coloccini also volleyed narrowly over with 15 minutes to go.
Leeds rarely threatened, with Toon target Jermaine Beckford hardly noticed.
Chris Hughton (programme notes): "Leeds' troubles have been well documented in recent seasons.
"At the heart of it, they are a huge club with a long and proud tradition, and one we'd all like to see back in the big time with ourselves."
The national newspapers will report that Joey Barton made his presence felt after 17 minutes by cynically body-checking Delph 10 yards from the ball, but they want the 'bad boy' to take over from the court case of 'golden boy' Steven Gerrard ... who has been in the news.
The Liverpool darling got away with it in court ... but did we expect any other? There's rules for one and rules for others, particularly on Liverpool!
Barton is an easy target these days.
Alan Smith received fierce booing from the away end when his name was announced before kick-off.
Hughton used Smith to fill the centre of midfield alongside Barton, though not to outstanding effect.
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Sebastien Bassong, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Ryan Taylor, Alan Smith (c), Joey Barton, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll
Subs:
Fabricio Coloccini, Kevin Nolan, Xisco, Kazenga LuaLua, Tim Krul, Ryan Donaldson