Sunderland haven't beaten the Magpies on Wearside in 27 years, but looked on course to reverse that trend when defender Danny Higginbotham headed them into 51st minute lead.
The home fans almost lifted the roof as Higginbotham apply the finishing touch to Grant Leadbitter's deep cross from a short and quickly-taken corner by Kenwyne Jones.
But it was not to be for Roy Keane's men as Newcastle winger James Milner struck lucky on 65 minutes to level matters. Milner exchanged passes with Joey Barton before whipping in a low ball across the face of goal.
The effort evaded everyone including Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon, before drifting in off the far post.
The cross-shot lifted the visitors who produced their best spell of the game in the minutes that followed.
But it was little more than a flash in the pan from the Black and Whites, who had struggled all afternoon to cope with the outstanding Jones.
Jones, who went close with a second-half effort, led the United defence a merry dance for much of the game, without reaping the rewards in front of goal.
His strike partner Michael Chopra - the villain of the piece on Wearside when he inspired Newcastle to come from a goal behind in April 2006 to win 4-1 - is now plying his trade for the Black Cats.
The striker almost secured all three points for the hosts when he headed goalwards on 82 minutes, but his effort came back down from the underside of the crossbar before being cleared.
It would have been just rewards for the Wearsiders, who while not outstanding, bossed the game for long periods and were certainly the better of the two sides.
United boss Sam Allardyce will have been the happier of the two managers having seen his side conjure up a lucky escape, while Keane will not doubt feel the win was there for the taking.