Sunderland midfielder McAteer was the victim of a reckless sliding challenge by Bilong after 35 minutes and had to be carried off on a stretcher, looking in some degree of discomfort.

The Irish then conceded a sloppy goal after 37 minutes when they allowed Tatsuhiko Kubo to score with a free header.

But Robbie Keane equalised at with a header at the far post after 41 minutes after substitute Stephen Reid’s corner was flicked on by Kevin Kilbane.

Duff returned the compliment for Keane after 21 minutes, feeding him on the right angle of the 18-yard box.

The Leeds striker tried to chip the keeper who was slightly off his line, but his effort floated over the far post.

The home team applied a bit of pressure after 25 minutes and Shay Given made a good catch to take Tikara Fujimoto’s left-wing corner.

A minute later, Given had to watch carefully as a dipping 30-yard drive from skipper Kentaro Sawada flew just over his crossbar.

Given was kept busy as Tatsuhiko Kubo sent in a drive which lacked real power after 31 minutes.

But three minutes later the Newcastle goalkeeper had to dive low to his right and make a good save to deny Susumu Oki, who got the better of Dunne.