Newcastle 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Perez - signed from Tenerife in the summer - scored his seventh goal of the season

• Newcastle play QPR (a) and West Ham (h) next

• West Brom safe from relegation

• Cisse returns after seven-match ban

• Toughest week of my life, says Carver

Newcastle United ended a run of eight successive Premier League defeats under manager John Carver - but their relegation fears continue as they were held to a draw by West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park.

In 90 minutes riddled with nerves and tension on Tyneside, results elsewhere saw the Toon Army drop briefly into the relegation places when Victor Anichebe headed Albion into the lead.

Ayoze Perez's equaliser before half-time at least stopped the rot that has plunged Newcastle into crisis, and they were also helped by Burnley's win at Hull City after arch-rivals Sunderland lifted their survival hopes with victory at Everton.

Newcastle, in 17th, are now two points ahead of Hull, with Steve Bruce's side having two tough games to close the season - away at Tottenham and home to Manchester United.

This point provided a measure of respite following the fall-out from the traumatic loss at Leicester City last weekend that saw Carver claim defender Mike Williamson had got himself sent off deliberately to avoid the run-in. Derby County manager Steve McClaren then rejected the chance to replace Carver for the final three games of the season.

For West Brom and manager Tony Pulis, this draw secured their Premier League status for next season, meaning his mission was accomplished after he replaced the sacked Alan Irvine at the turn of the year.

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini was moved to write an open letter to supporters calling for their backing after the debacle during and after events at Leicester - not that they should ever be doubted.

The bottom line is Newcastle need to deliver the quality to stimulate their fervent followers and even though they claimed a draw here, showing application and effort, there is a glaring lack of quality in this squad that provided all the evidence required as to why they are in this perilous position.

There was some relief in the applause that greeted Newcastle's players at the final whistle of a game lacking inspiration but one that was rich in drama purely because of the stakes on offer for the home side.

The mood at St James' Park had been subdued, not helped by Sunderland's surprise victory, until a huge roar swept around the famous old stadium seconds before kick-off.

This was a set of supporters living on its nerves and that was not improved as Newcastle's vulnerability against set-pieces was swiftly exposed.

Craig Dawson's header crashed back off the post from Craig Gardner's corner and Youssouf Mulumbu's shot was blocked in a chaotic aftermath.

Newcastle needed to offer the home crowd something to lift their sagging spirits - but the frustration was increased when the sight of Moussa Sissoko's shot being cleared off the line by Joleon Lescott just after the half-hour was followed by the Baggies taking the lead seconds later.

It was familiar punishment for Newcastle as Anichebe pulled away from a static defence to meet Gardner's free-kick and direct a fine low header beyond the outstretched hand of Tim Krul.

How Newcastle needed a quick response and, to the relief of their fans, it arrived just before half-time when West Brom could not clear a free-kick and Perez's low shot beat Boaz Myhill.

It provided the perfect platform for Newcastle to push on but it was West Brom who almost restored the lead, Gardner sending an angled half-volley tamely wide when he should have hit the target.

The introduction of striker Papiss Cisse, coming on at the end of his seven-match ban for spitting at Manchester United's Jonny Evans, was meant to be the cue for Newcastle to up the tempo but it was the visitors who were suddenly a threat once more.

Krul came to the rescue twice within seconds, first blocking Chris Brunt's shot before turning the rebound against the woodwork and blocking substitute Saido Berahino from close range.

Newcastle almost had the last word when Myhill saved from Sissoko at the start of four minutes of stoppage time but there was to be no late drama.

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Cisse played for the first time since a seven-match ban for spitting

Tony Pulis' West Brom are now safe from relegation

John Carver was a vocal presence on the St James' Park touchline