STEVE BRUCE has bemoaned Newcastle United’s profligacy in front of goal after being held to a FA Cup third round replay at League One’s Rochdale this afternoon.

The Magpies boss was left hugely frustrated but relieved that his team were still in the draw for the next round after a second half display that could easily have ended in defeat.

And the draw came at a further cost for injury-hit Newcastle, who had to take goalscorer Miguel Almiron and forward Yoshinori Muto off with respective groin and hip complaints.

Bruce, who already had 11 players sidelined before the game, said: “We created chance after chance (in the 1st half). I can’t remember them having a kick. Then, of course, we lost another couple (to injury).

“We lost that control we had with Muto. We had to bring in Matt Ritchie for the last 25 minutes. Let’s hope we get a few back. It’s been a horrible time in terms of that.

“The loss of Almiron and Muto in particular. We lost that balance we had, and we stopped causing them problems. Their movement caused them problems in the first half. The frailties are there. You can’t dominate a game like that and miss the chance we did.”

The Northern Echo:

It was another disappointing day for £40m man Joelinton, whose confidence drained further away after watching goalkeeper Robert Sanchez deny him his second of the season in the opening period.

But the Brazilian was indebted to goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the second half for making a number of saves from Oliver Rathbone that could have ended in Newcastle losing.

“Joelinton had a disappointing time. He’s got to stick at it and play his way through. Up to two weeks ago, Almiron hadn’t scored. He’s got to stay with it,” said Bruce.

It was Rochdale’s 40-year-old substitute Aaron Wilbraham who piled more FA Cup misery on Newcastle.

Despite a dominant first half display in which the Magpies managed to hit the break a goal to the good courtesy of Miguel Almiron’s 18th minute opener, Bruce’s side were poor and were made to pay.

Newcastle, who have still not reached the fifth round during Mike Ashley’s 13 years as owner of the club, were in the end quite thankful that it ended a draw because Rochdale could have had more.

Rathbone had already made Dubravka make three fine saves to keep Newcastle ahead. With 11 minutes remaining Rochdale got the equaliser that their much-improved play deserved.

The goal stemmed from 17-year-old sub Luke Matheson’s run and cross down the right, just months after he scored at Manchester United as a 16-year-old in the Carabao Cup.

And the 40-year-old Wilbraham, almost 22 years after making his senior debut, controlled and finished inside the area to send Spotland’s home crowd crazy.

Newcastle pushed for a winner but Rochdale had the best late chance when Rathbone dragged another effort wide when he was picked out free in the area.

Rochdale can now enjoy a night out at St James’ Park, something neither Bruce nor his players will have wanted in ten days time.

NEWCASTLE (3-5-2): Dubravka 7; Krafth 6, Fernandez 6, Hayden 5; Yedlin 4, S Longstaff 6, M Longstaff 5, Almiron 7 (Ritchie 63, 5), Atsu 7; Muto 5 (Ki 53, 5), Joelinton 4. Subs: Darlow (gk), Lejeune, Cass, Allan, Sorensen.

ROCHDALE (4-3-2-1): Sanchez 7; Magloire 3 (Matheson 31, 8), O’Connell 6, Williams 7, Keohane 6; Camps 7, Ryan 6, Rathbone 7; Dooley 5 (McLaughlin 69, 6), Baah 6 (Wilbraham 46, 7); Henderson 6. Subs (not used): Andrew, Lynch, Taveres.