Newcastle 2-2 Hull City: Pardew clings on as Cisse inspires fightback.

The Magpies manager was the target of protests from supporters before the game but he brought on the Senegalese striker to rescue his side from two goals down at St James's Park.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was spared a damaging defeat as substitute Papiss Cisse pulled his side back from two down to draw 2-2 with Hull City in the Premier League.

With widespread fan demonstrations against the Magpies manager before the game, the atmosphere at St James's Park was not boosted by Nikica Jelavic's opening the scoring just after half-time.

Mohamed Diame made it two on 68 minutes with an excellent left-footed effort and, despite substitute Papiss Cisse's reply only five minutes later, Newcastle were unable to summon sufficient resistance.

Pardew was greeted by huge boos when he emerged from the dugout on the kick-off and Newcastle looked to be in for a difficult afternoon on the pitch as an unchanged Hull made a brighter start to the opening minutes.

MATCH VIEW

By Gary Maiden A bittersweet afternoon for the 'Pardew Out' brigade as a late Papiss Cisse double looks to have been enough to keep Alan Pardew in a job - until next week, at least. In football terms, they will be delighted to see Cisse back on the pitch and amongst the goals as there seems to be a distinct lack of a goal threat from anyone else. The Senegal international will need to turn this superb cameo appearance into a run of form if the Magpies are to pull away from the drop-zone anytime soon. Steve Bruce will be disappointed that his side could not hold onto their lead as three points would have lifted Hull City into sixth position in the table. The main talking point for the visitors will be the quality of the goals scored. Nikica Jelavic's bicycle kick was very well taken and Mohamed Diame's second goal in as many games was a screamer from well outside the area. What an inspired signing he looks so early into his Hull career.

The protest planned for the fifth minute did not materialise as expected as the home crowd seemingly opted to support the team rather than voice their disapproval at the manager.

And Newcastle appeared to respond to that encouragement, Remy Cabella and Jack Colback bringing Allan McGregor into action before the whole stadium rose to pay tribute to Jonas Gutierrez – the midfielder revealed to be suffering from testicular cancer earlier this week - by applauding after the 18th minute.

Newcastle will have been disappointed not to have made more of their first-half dominance and they were made to pay for not doing so when Jelavic netted his third goal of the campaign in spectacular style. The Croatia international met an Ahmed Elmohamady cross with a magnificent acrobatic effort that left goalkeeper Tim Krul with no chance.

Cabella was twice denied by McGregor as Newcastle sought a quick response and Stephen Quinn wasted a gilt-edged chance from close range to extend Hull's advantage after winning a free kick from Cheikh Tiote.

Diame atoned for Quinn's profligacy in the 68th minute with a vicious strike into the top corner about which Krul could do nothing, securing his second goal in as many outings for the Tigers.

That goal predictably saw the supporters return to venting their fury at Pardew but Newcastle were offered a glimmer hope by substitute Cisse's low shot under McGregor at the near post following good work from Tiote.

Newcastle poured forward and secured a share of the spoils with just three minutes to go, Cisse slamming Yoan Gouffran's knock-down home from inside the six-yard box.

The Senegal striker's goal could save Pardew's skin for now, the 53-year-old punching the air with obvious delight at Cisse's late intervention, although sporadic protests against the manager's reign continued after the final whistle.