A much-changed Newcastle United opened the Europa League group stages with a battling point at Maritimo this evening.

Alan Pardew made seven changes the side that drew 2-2 at Everton on Monday, with stand-in skipper Shola Ameobi leading the line.

The Toon came closest to opening the scoring in a frustrating match, with Dan Gosling hitting the post with a drive from distance.

Ameobi was also agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when his header from close range was dramatically cleared off the line.

Maritimo nearly stole all three points in the closing stages, when Davide Santon was forced into a last-ditch clearance after a header crashed the crossbar.

Match statistics

Maritimo
Shots: 14
On Target: 5
Possession: 51%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 12

Newcastle United
Shots: 10
On Target: 4
Possession: 49%
Corners: 5
Fouls 13

Was the result fair?

Newcastle will settle for a point after being on the back foot for long spells in the second half. A defeat would have been harsh on Maritimo, who showed some clever approach play without creating consistent clear-cut opportunities.

Maritimo's Performance

6/10 The Portuguese side were disciplined and dogged, but rarely threatened Rob Elliot and the Newcastle backline. A competent rather than creative performance.

Newcastle United's performance?

5/10 After a bright patch in the first half Newcastle dropped off the pace in the second, but Alan Pardew can still be happy on the whole with the attitude shown by a depleted team.

Referee's Performance

4/10 The official missed Steven Taylor's forearm smash and failed to help the game flow by consistently blowing up for minor fouls. Your archetypal European referee at times.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Youngster Gael Birigimana was the pick of the bunch in a drab fixture. The former Coventry midfielder kept the ball well and produced a couple of vital interceptions in crucial areas of the pitch. Definitely one for the future on Tyneside.

Biggest gaffe

Steven Taylor was lucky not to get a straight red for a forearm smash on the edge of the penalty area, which luckily for Newcastle was not even considered a foul by the referee.

What's next?

Maritimo: The Portuguese side continue their Europa League campaign in a fortnight with a trip to Club Brugge, who lost 4-0 to Bordeaux in their Europa League opener tonight.

Newcastle United: The Magpies have a home clash with Norwich City in the Premier League to look forward to on Sunday, but will return to European action in a fortnight's time with against Bordeaux.