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Newcastle United 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Match Reports, 17:08, November 15, 2008 ,
Titus Bramble returned to haunt his former club with a last-minute equaliser to snatch Wigan a much-deserved 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
Wigan flew out of the blocks at St James' Park with Ryan Taylor - normally a right-back but being employed as a left winger for the day - producing a contender for goal of the month on just three minutes. Luis Antonio Valencia's cross was headed to the edge of the box where Taylor arrived to meet the ball with the outside of his right boot and bend the ball spectacularly into the top corner of Shay Given's net.
Newcastle were brighter as the second period began and soon had a one-man advantage as Emmerson Boyce was given his marching orders on 54 minutes as he collected a second yellow card for tripping Ameobi. Replays later suggested the Wigan defender had taken the ball cleanly.
The visitors remained a threat on the counter and in the 77th minute Henri Camara sprinted clear of Fabricio Coloccini only to see his effort rebound back off the post and into the grateful arms of Given. Newcastle capitalised on their good fortune to full effect when substitute Michael Owen was in the right place at the right time to tap home a 79th minute equaliser after Chris Kirkland had fumbled Shola Ameobi's effort.
The home side looked to have stolen all three points with just three minutes of normal time remaining as Obafemi Martins blasted past Kirkland from the edge of the box after good work from Charles N'Zogbia.
However, there was a sting in the tale as Newcastle old boy Titus Bramble rose highest to head home Daniel De Ridder's corner in the final minute to give Steve Bruce's men a richly deserved and much-needed point on the road.