ALAN Shearer took a step nearer becoming the first player to score 200 Premiership goals at Aston Villa last night - but his close range effort was not enough to secure a Newcastle United victory.

The 31-year-old struck his 199th after just three minutes of the encounter, but a first goal in a Villa shirt for giant striker Peter Crouch ensured Newcastle were only able to close the gap on the top three by a point.

All three points would have been gratefully received by the St. James' Park outfit to strengthen their push for a Champions' League place, and Shearer would have loved to have reached the milestone last night to boost their hopes of a top four finish.

But the Magpies front-man, taking on a Villa side managed by the man who handed him his England debut a decade ago, Graham Taylor, was never given the chance to add to his remarkable tally.

In fact Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, himself a former national team coach, will have been the more relieved of the two to hear the final whistle.

In a frantic last 15-minute spell, made more exciting by the heavy rain on a slippery turf, the hosts could have inflicted only Newcastle's second defeat in the Premiership on this ground.

Juan Pablo Angel, substitute Darius Vassell, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Steve Staunton all had opportunities to claim a deserved victory - but they, as many other teams have this season, found Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given in excellent form.

Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy was not included in the 16 after suffering an adverse reaction to the knee injury which has kept him out since the Sunderland win on February 24.

Robson had hoped to give the Welshman at least a bit part in the night's proceedings, but instead he stuck by the squad that hammered Everton 6-2 on Good Friday.

Villa chief Graham Taylor handed 6ft 7in forward Peter Crouch his home debut after his £4.5m switch from Portsmouth.

In the 17 Premiership games played between the two clubs at Villa Park prior to last night, Newcastle had won 12 and lost just once.

And with just 122 seconds on the clock Newcastle revealed their liking for the Midlands ground by grabbing the opener. Good work down the right by midfield duo Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer - playing only their second match together - allowed the latter to cross with the ball cleared to Laurent Robert on the edge of the box.

Robert's volley rebounded off Peter Schmeichel's left-hand post and Shearer was first to react to side-foot home number 199.

But Newcastle couldn't build on their electric opening and allowed Villa to push forward.

Bean-pole Crouch was causing obvious problems in the air and he headed one effort wide and then put one straight into Given's arms - but the danger signs were there.

And the England Under 21 international made his height pay on 26 minutes to pull the scores level.

Crouch, not for the first time, worked his way superbly in front of Nikos Dabizas and dived to head in a Gareth Barry cross from the left.

The same provider from the same side then delivered another inch perfect centre but this time a different man, in this case Juan Pablo Angel, did not connect properly and the ball flew wide.

All the early promise from Newcastle suddenly degenerated as Villa pushed forward at will.

Greek defender Dabizas made up for his earlier poor defending to expertly block an Ian Taylor effort, an the hardworking Taylor then had a terrific left-foot drive from 25 yards tipped over by Given.

The Republic of Ireland 'keeper was forced into another fine save seconds later when he pushed a Mark Delaney shot round the post.

After the restart the rain suddenly poured down on the Midlands club's pitch.

Robert, who had looked bright in the first half, fired a free-kick straight at the wall and when the ball rebounded back to him the £10m man lashed his shot over.

Villa looked the more dangerous for most of the second half - but Given was equal to their threat.

And as the match headed for a draw Newcastle had one last throw of the dice when Dyer was afforded space in the box.

However, the £20m rated midfielder headed over a Nolberto Solano cross.

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