JONATHAN Woodgate was back in the starting line-up as United welcomed Bolton to St. James' Park looking to record their first victory of the season.
Woodgate replaced Andy O'Brien, while Lee Bowyer dropped down to the bench as Nobby Solano was recalled on the right side of midfield.
United kicked off attacking the Leazes End, and Shearer won a free kick out wide on the right after being barged into by Thome. Robert swung the free kick in, and Speed rose highest to head the ball against the crossbar.
Gardener's cross from the left on six minutes was well held by Given, then Bellamy just failed to get on the end of Speed's clever flick over the top moments later.
On nine minutes Nolan fired in a right foot drive from the edge of the box after Djorkaeff switched the ball across from the left, but his effort hit the sidenetting.
Play had switched from end to end in the first 10 minutes, and Gardner had to head Robert's cross away for a corner seconds later but the flag kick came to nothing.
Griffin tried his luck from 30 yards after Speed squared the ball across to him, but Jaaskelainen got down to gather the strike, then Given had to make a good save to keep out Okocha's curling free kick from 20 yards.
United won another corner on 19 minutes when Bellamy put Gardner under pressure, but Woodgate and then Speed both swung at the ball without making any connection and the danger was eventually cleared.
Thome's foul on Dyer on 22 minutes saw Newcastle awarded a free kick on the byeline just outside of the box, but agin the Bolton defence did well to clear, then seconds later Shearer could not convert Solano's through ball from a tight angle.
United started to turn the screw as the game approached the half hour mark, and whewn Solano sent in a good cross from the right Robert headed the ball back across goal but Nolan got there first to head away for a corner.
Woodgate was next to go close with a lopping header that drifted over the crossbar, then at the other end Stelios's first time volley cannoned off Bernard and went for a corner.
Stelios took the corner, and United were relieved to put the ball out for another flag kick after a scramble, though the second corner was easily dealt with.
Gardner's cross from the left on 30 minutes looked like setting up a chance for Davies, but the striker delayed and when the ball bounced up in front of him Bernard headed out for a corner.
Bolton started to pass the ball around well as the half drew to a close and the home crowd were getting restless, but Shearer almost eased the nerves when he raced clear after a long ball over the top but N'Gotty made a block and Thome prevented the ball going out for a corner.
Neither side went any closer to breaking the deadlock as the half ended goal-less.
Less than a minute into the second half Shearer flung himself at Robert's teasing cross, but he could not keep his effort down and the ball flew over the crossbar into the Gallowgate End.
Speed shot high and wide on 55 minutes after good pressure from Solano and Bellamy in the box, then Shearer just failed to get on the end of a superb cross from Robert after some great play on the left by the Frenchman.
On 57 minutes Bramble was unlucky not to bag his first goal for The Magpies when he headed against the bar from Robert's free kick, and Woodgate was inches away from getting omn the end of the rebound as Jaaskelainen gathered.
Okocha's foul on Bernard gave United a free kick in a central position 30 yards from goal, and Robert's low drive skimmed off a defender to go for a corner. Again, United could not make anything of the set piece.
Djorkaeff made space for a shot after some good play 30 yards out, and his powerful drive was well held by Given low to his left on 63 minutes.
Greek midfielder Stelios got the first booking of the game for a lunge at Bernard inside the centre circle on 66 minutes, then a minute later Solano wasn't too far away from opening the scoring with a right foot drive from 22 yards that flashed just wide of the post.
Given had to palm Djorkaeff's inswinging free kick away on 71 minutes, and when Okocha picked up the ball on the edge of the box the Irishman made another comfortable save.
With 16 minutes remaining Campo went down in a heap after a challenge from Bramble, and even thnough there appeared to be little wrong with him he took the opportunity for a breather while he had lengthy treatment - much to the home crowd's annoyance.
Dyer was then booked for throwing the ball to the ground in frustration after a dubious looking offside flag, then Solano and Speed were replaced by Ameobi and Jenas in a double substitution.
On 80 minutes Bernard appeared to be fouled by Djorkaeff but nothing was given, though when the ball ran loose Ameobi was upended and Thed Magpies got a free kick five yards from the edge of the box.
Shearer's effort came off the wall and rolled out to the left, Bernard picked up the ball and crossed for Ameobi but the shot was blocked and then diverted for a corner.
United went close to taking the lead five minutes from the end when Ameobi sent in a low cross to Dyer, but Charlton stuck out a boot to concede the corner.
Surprisingly there were only thre minutes of time added on despite the stoppages in the second half, and a Robert shot that flew well wide and an Ameobi header was all United could muster as they tried without success to grab a late winner.
When the final whistle of a frustrating afternoon sounded, the United fans made their feelings clear to the players as they trooped off the pitch.
05.07.2009 - Pics Special: Toon Touchdown In Dublin
