Reading were denied their first Premier League win since May 2008 as a Demba Ba brace earned Newcastle United a battling point at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon.

After looking the more dangerous side during a subdued opening period, the Royals deservedly went ahead on 57 minutes courtesy of Jimmy Kebe.

The Mali winger found the bottom left corner from the centre of the penalty area after collecting a neat pass from Jobi McAnuff.

Newcastle were level less than 60 seconds later when Ba latched onto Cheik Tiote's through ball before finishing clinically from close range.

Reading regained the lead on 62 minutes, when Noel Hunt headed home from McAnuff's swinging cross.

Ba levelled again seven minutes from time, doubling his tally in controversial fashion by inadvertently diverting Shane Ferguson's whipped delivery beyond Alex McCarthy with his hand.

Steve Harper made a superb double save late on - to deny Jason Roberts and McAnuff - as the Magpies hung on to claim their second point on the road this season.