Harper happy to have last laugh
GOALKEEPER Steve Harper was pleased Newcastle's fans had the last laugh at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Championship leaders weren't at their best, and spent long part of the game at the Riverside Stadium on the back foot.
But Andy arroll struck to salvage a 2-2 draw not long after the home fans had unfurled a banner deriding United's 40-year run without a major trophy.
And the away end responded with a chorus of We'll Meet Again, last heard at Villa Park on the final day of last season as United's own fate was sealed by Aston Villa.
"The banter was great," said Harper. "To hear We'll Meet Again at Villa last season was awful, but it was fantastic to hear all the Newcastle fans singing it."
Harper was helpless for Boro's goals, not least a first-half stunner from former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson.
"We knew what Barry Robson's quality was like," added the 35-year-old.
"(Reserve coach) Alan Thompson was with us, and he knew about the Celtic links, which helped us as he provided some useful information.
"We showed grit and determination in a local derby to get something. It was a typical derby – it started at 100mph and finished at 100mph."
Follow Gazette Newcastle United writer Miles Starforth on Twitter here
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
