NEWCASTLE (England), Oct 21: Stephen Ireland’s 86th-minute equalizer gave Manchester City a 2-2 draw against 10-man Newcastle on Monday and stopped the Magpies climbing out of the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Newcastle was reduced to 10 men after Habib Beye had been sent off in the 12th minute, but still rallied after Robinho had put City ahead from the penalty spot in the 14th.

Shola Ameobi’s close-range strike and Richard Dunne’s own-goal in the 63rd gave Newcastle a 2-1 lead and Joe Kinnear’s team appeared on course to climb out of the last three until Ireland equalized four minutes from the end.

The draw meant that Newcastle remained next to last with six points from eight games but City moved up one place to 10th. Tottenham remained last with only two points after losing 2-1 at Stoke on Sunday, increasing the pressure of Spanish coach Juande Ramos.

Robinho gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot with his third goal in a City shirt after Beye was judged to have brought the Brazilian down in the area. Beye was sent off for the foul although TV replays suggested that he touched the ball before Robinho went down.

Newcastle hit back with an equaliser in the final minute of the first half.

Richard Dunne’s attempted clearance struck Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff and the ball rolled to Ameobi who scored with a close range shot Newcastle went ahead in the 63rd when Dunne tried to clear Geremi’s corner and sliced the ball into his own net.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given pushed away a volley from Ireland seven minutes from the end but was beaten three minutes later when the midfielder collected Robinho’s through ball and scored from close range.—AP