Derby came within four minutes of a shock double over Newcastle United as Mark Viduka's 86th-minute equaliser ensured a 2-2 draw at St James's Park.

Viduka crashed his second of the match to save Sam Allardyce's blushes, bringing the home side level for the second time after Kenny Miller's 52nd-minute goal looked to have won it for Derby.

Viduka had earlier equalised Giles Barnes' sixth-minute long-distance strike as Newcastle conceded another moral-sapping early goal.

Derby entered the match cast adrift at the foot of the league and with only two points to their name since their only league win of the season - against Newcastle over three months ago.

But their performance belied their lowly standing and, although they will remain bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day - a position that has led to relegation on all but one occasion - they will take heart from another promising showing under new manager Paul Jewell.

Barnes gave Derby a rare away goal to work with when he picked up possession 20 yards out and set himself before drilling a low right-foot shot past Shay Given and into the bottom corner for just his side's second away goal of the season.

But Newcastle responded well and created plenty of half-chances before Viduka's 27th-minute equaliser, thumping a low shot just inside the post after battling work from Alan Smith on the edge of the penalty area.

Derby were forced to soak up a lot of pressure but they retained a threat on the counter-attack, and Miller restored their lead just seven minutes after half-time, taking advantage of David Rozehnal's slip to fire past Given after strike-partner Steve Howard had flicked on a long ball.

Allardyce quickly made three changes as the crowd began to grow frustrated with Derby's spirited defence, handing Damien Duff his first chance of another season blighted by injury.

And Viduka popped up with four minutes to go to save his side, crashing home a shot from the edge of the penalty area after Darren Moore's weak defensive header fell into his path.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport