NEWCASTLE UNITED’S wait for a second league win of the season continues after they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth.

Since beating Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the campaign, Eddie Howe’s side have recorded six draws and a defeat, a run that leaves them in the bottom half of the table.

Things looked like getting even worse when they fell behind to Bournemouth, with Philip Billing prodding home Jordan Zemura’s cross in the second half.

Alexander Isak levelled from the penalty spot just five minutes later, but while Newcastle hit the woodwork twice in the first half through Kieran Trippier and Joelinton, they were unable to claim all three points.

The first half was a fairly flat affair, although Newcastle twice went close to an opener.

Trippier’s free-kick heroics have been a major feature of Newcastle’s play since he arrived from Atletico Madrid, and the England international came within inches of scoring with another set-piece special midway through the opening period.

His 25-yard effort whistled past Neto’s right hand in the Bournemouth goal, but struck the outside of the left-hand post.

Joelinton was the second Newcastle player to strike the woodwork two minutes before half-time, receiving the ball from Ryan Fraser in the area and striking a first-time effort against the intersection of post and crossbar.

The miss sparked a frantic minute that also saw Neto make fine saves from both Joelinton and Fraser, who tested the Bournemouth keeper with a well-struck effort from outside the area.

Bournemouth’s first-half attacking was largely limited to counter-attacking breaks, but the visitors should have done better just 15 minutes in when former Middlesbrough midfielder Marcus Tavernier looped a ten-yard header wide from Zemura’s left-wing cross.

They made their mark in the 62nd minute, though, as they claimed the lead somewhat against the run of play.

Zemura delivered a cross from the left, and Billing was unmarked at the front post as he prodded home a first-time volley.

Newcastle needed a response, and it arrived from the penalty spot seven minutes later as a VAR call finally went in their favour.

The Magpies had been undone when VAR ruled out Tyrick Mitchell’s own goal in their previous home game against Crystal Palace, but while referee Craig Pawson initially missed Jefferson Lerma’s handball from Trippier’s cross, he changed his mind after being instructed to check his pitch-side monitor.

Isak stepped up, and slammed his spot-kick into the bottom corner to claim his second goal since his move from Real Sociedad.