After starting the week with a disappointing home defeat by Everton, in which the St James' Park faithful were not shy in voicing their displeasure, this at least represented an improvement for Newcastle.

Even in a first half in which they found themselves under pressure for long spells, they limited Fulham to very few clear chances while creating good openings of their own.

Their frustration over Dan Burn's disallowed goal was obvious, but what will also irk them on the journey back to the north east will be the chances they wasted.

Harvey Barnes was unfortunate with his first effort, well saved by Bernd Leno, but will feel he should have scored when one-on-one with the German later in the half, while he failed to test the keeper with his shot two minutes into the second period.

Even after Rodrigo Muniz had cancelled out Jacob Murphy's stunner, Newcastle really should have retaken the lead.

Lewis Hall did superbly to drive into the box and suddenly found himself 12 yards out with only Leno to beat, but the shot on his weaker right foot gave the goalkeeper a chance that he really should not have been given.

Perhaps it is symptomatic of how things are going for Newcastle at the moment that even when there are positives to take, the overriding feeling at full-time is one of disappointment.