NEWCASTLE skipper Peter Beardsley called on north east rivals Middlesbrough to halt Manchester United's now seemingly invincible charge towards the Premiership title.

The Magpies' dream of landing their first championship for 69 years suffered a devastating blow with last night's draw and now Newcastle must beat Tottenham at St James' Park on Sunday and hope that United lose against Boro at the Riverside Stadium.

"We've got to hope for Middlesbrough to win now, but the most important thing is that we beat Tottenham to give ourselves a chance," said Beardsley.

"We've still got hope, but we're waiting for other people to slip up now," added Beardsley, whose team trail United by two points and have an inferior goal difference.

He insisted. "We should have had the title wrapped up by now but we've just got to see what happens on Sunday.

David Batty also refused to concede the title. He said. "For the last four games we have been hanging on by the odd goal and rode our luck, but that was not the case tonight.

"We were getting tired in the second half and I must have taken my eye off the ball and let it slip under my foot and Woan hit a great strike."

He added. "We've got to believe we can still do it, but it is vital that we beat Tottenham."