NEWCASTLE UNITED’S third choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow became a Tyneside hero on an incredible afternoon of drama in the fight to stay in the Premier League.

At a sold-out St James’ Park, Newcastle knew they had to deliver the points against Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace to maintain the momentum in the battle to stay up.

And when Andros Townsend powered in a brilliant free-kick with his fourth goal for the club since moving from Tottenham in January just before the hour, the Magpies had taken a step towards achieving just that.

But when captain Moussa Sissoko was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area 20 minutes from time, former Newcastle skipper Yohan Cabaye had the chance to claim a point for the Eagles.

The outstanding Darlow, only playing because of injuries to Tim Krul and Rob Elliot, then dived to his left to turn away Cabaye’s spot-kick; leaving the home crowd singing his name.

As it turned out, with Jermain Defoe converting a late equaliser from the spot for Sunderland at Stoke, it was a save which ensured Newcastle did not drop back into the bottom three; although Norwich could force them back in if they spring a surprise in the evening kick-off at Arsenal.

Rafael Benitez’s side are now unbeaten in four and have collected eight points from their last 12 to increase the chances of them staying up ahead of next Saturday’s trip to relegated Aston Villa. They are a point clear of the Black Cats, who have a game in hand.

It was a dramatic day on Tyneside and there was an air of tension around the ground beforehand, knowing how important it was that Pardew did not enjoy a victory on his first return to the club he left 16 months ago.

There was a touching minute’s applause as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, when thousands of Newcastle fans sang Liverpool’s club anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The Geordie supporters were only at Anfield seven days earlier to witness a further performance of encouragement, when Benitez’s players came from two goals down to claim a point. That day saw him introduce Georginio Wijnaldum at half-time so it was no surprise to see him start against Palace.

The Dutchman, the only change to the team from that game, was a key figure too. He had the first effort on goal when he volleyed into the arms of Wayne Hennessey. He also played Townsend in behind the defence with a delightful pass, only for the winger’s first touch to let him down and the chance was wasted.

There were no signs that the visitors, despite claims from Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce earlier in the week that they would have been on the pop, were taking things easy though and they pushed on whenever they could.

Darlow, the home side’s keeper, made a number of good saves to keep them at bay. He denied Yannick Bolasie a couple of times, while he made a near post block to prevent Cabaye from finding the net on his return to St James’ Park.

Overall Newcastle’s defence did the job. Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles, particularly, made life difficult for Connor Wickham. Lascelles made one outstanding sliding tackle to deny the former Sunderland striker when he looked like he would test Darlow.

There were a few chances at the other end too. Mbemba tested the hands of Hennessey from 25 yards with a powerful low drive, while Sissoko ought to have done better when he moved ahead of his marker to meet Paul Dummett’s centre.

Jack Colback curled an effort wide before half-time when the space opened up in front of him and he should have at least hit the target following a neat pass from Lascelles. That was the last of the first half chances.

But Newcastle soon picked up the pace after the restart, at around the same time as news filtered through from the Britannia Stadium that Sunderland had fallen behind against Stoke.

Wijnaldum had an effort blocked, while Townsend saw a drive from distance comfortably gathered by Hennessey. Newcastle needed to find a way of doing more damage in the penalty area, and Townsend took over.

The £10m winger earned the free-kick himself with his direct running and forced a foul from Damien Delaney. He then picked himself up and curled a brilliant dead ball from 22 yards powerfully inside the top right corner of Hennessey’s net.

The drama was only just beginning. The vast majority of the St James’ crowd feared the worst when referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot when he deemed Sissoko’s raised arm prevented the ball from hitting Scott Dann’s head.

But Darlow did what was required when he dived strongly to his left to turn behind Cabaye’s penalty in what could yet prove to be one of the most defining moments of the season.

Palace kept pushing on in search of an equaliser, increasing the tension during the closing exchanges inside St James’ Park particularly after Defoe’s late leveller at Stoke, but Newcastle did just enough to climb out of the bottom three.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Anita (Shelvey 88), Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett; Tiote, Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, Wijnaldum (Perez 80); Cisse (Mitrovic 73). Subs (not used): Woodman (gk), Mbabu, Taylor, de Jong.

CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Cabaye, Jedinak; Bolasie, McArthur (Sako 60), Puncheon (Gayle 73); Wickham (Adebayor 74). Subs (not used): Mariappa, McCarthy (gk), Ledley, Kelly.