A FRUSTRATED Steve Bruce criticised Martin Dubravka after the Newcastle goalkeeper’s error deprived his side of two precious points at St James’ Park.

Dubravka’s mistake enabled Jonny to slot home a 73rd-minute equaliser, cancelling out Jamaal Lascelles’ headed opener for the Magpies.

The Slovakian signed a new six-year contract earlier this week, but having erred in the same fixture last season, when his lack of decisiveness enabled Matt Doherty to score a stoppage-time winner, he was fault again as he failed to deal with Doherty’s cross from the right.

Attempting to punch clear, Dubravka only managed to direct a weak flap to Jonny, who stabbed home from inside the 18-yard box. Sean Longstaff’s late dismissal ended any hope of a Newcastle resurgence, but Bruce was more frustrated at his goalkeeper’s display.

“He (Dubravka) knows he could have done better,” said Bruce. “It’s a poor decision from Martin. If you’re going to come and flap at it, then the one thing you can’t do is just push it in the middle of the goal. That’s a bit of a frustration. Of all their (Wolves’) work, it’s a mistake that has got them their goal. It’s unfortunate.”

While Lascelles became the third defender to score for Newcastle this season, the club’s attackers continue to struggle. Joelinton, who did not have a single shot on target, has scored one goal from ten games, while both Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin are yet to open their account for the campaign.

Newcastle’s total of six goals from the first ten games of the season is the joint lowest in the club’s 127-year history, and while Bruce has tightened things up defensively in the wake of last month’s capitulation at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, he is no closer to solving the problems with his side’s attack.

“Does the team have goals in it? At the moment, statistics would tell you, arguably not,” said the Newcastle boss. “We have got to try to improve that.

“Is it a mentality thing? Possibly. But we have to try to change that mentality. We spoke about it at half-time, to win the second half. We just sat in and sat in, and looked to protect what we had. In the Premier League that’s always difficult, you’ve got to try to pose a threat yourself, like we did in the first half. In the second half, we just didn’t do enough.

“All forwards thrive off opportunities and chances, and in the second half in particular, we haven’t done enough to try to help them in that respect. It’s the same with all of them.

“I’m going to face the same questions with Almiron now, I would think for the next couple of weeks in particular. We’ve invested a hell of a lot of money in the boy. He’s young, trying to get used to the Premier League, and how often have we seen it? We’ll have to be patient with him and try to protect him, and there’s no doubt he’s a good player. At the moment, he’s finding it tough, but then again, that’s what the Premier League is. It’s tough and uncompromising.”

The result leaves Newcastle one point clear of the relegation zone, but means they are still to beat a side in the bottom half of the table this season.

That is a source of major concern, although Bruce insists his side’s position just above the relegation zone is hardly a surprise given the way in which they have had to fight for their lives in each of the last two seasons.

“For the last couple of years, I don’t think it’s been any different has it, since the club came out of the Championship? And probably the couple of years before that too,” he said. “We hope we can go on a run of a few results that will take us up the table.

“If you look at the Premier League at the minute, I think two or three points separates 11 teams. I always classed ourselves as one of those ten or 11 teams. Our aim is to go higher, of course, but I was under no illusion that it was going to be difficult because it has been for the last couple of years.”

Sean Longstaff’s dismissal means he will be suspended for the next three matches, although Isaac Hayden is due to return from his own ban when Newcastle travel to West Ham this weekend.

Kevin Friend reached for his red card when Longstaff thudded into Ruben Neves’ leg with his studs raised, with Bruce feeling the Wolves midfielder’s theatrical reaction influenced the referee’s decision.

“I think it’s harsh,” he said. “I spoke out about Isaac, and that was a poor challenge. Today, when I’ve witnessed it…the behaviour of Neves is another thing. When they’re rolling around like that, you know they’re not hurt, because when you’re hurt, you stay motionless.

“He’s not in control of his foot, but then again, how is he supposed to be when he’s just played the ball? In that respect, I think it’s harsh on the boy, I really do. Will we appeal it? I’ll have a look again tomorrow. If possible? We’ll have a look.”