Newcastle United took another step towards the Champions League places after standing up to an intense battle at Elland Road - on a day that ended in farcical scenes.
As Eddie Howe prepared to watch a late free-kick a Leeds United fans barged his way towards the coaching staff before being escorted out the stadium. On a day in which Newcastle had slipped behind before two Callum Wilson penalties put them ahead, the game ended in a draw after Rasmus Kristensen's effort flew in off Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle are four points ahead of Liverpool in fifth but will have a game in hand after the Reds visit Leicester City on Monday night. United will now unpack a crazy afternoon in Yorkshire first.
United's first goal attempt arrived with three minutes played as Joelinton had a go from outside the area but sent it over the bar. But Leeds stunned the visitors with six minutes gone as Newcastle failed to clear their lines.
READ MORE: Leeds United vs Newcastle United as it happened
Jack Harrison linked up with Patrick Bamford down the left before Rodrigo's header was pushed away low down by Nick Pope. With United slow on the follow up, Leeds skipper Luke Ayling was left free to pounce and score one of the easiest goals of his career.
Newcastle responded by winning a free-kick on the left-hand side, Kieran Trippier tried to catch Leeds napping but the situation was read and the Yorkshire side coped with the danger. Callum Wilson turned his man in the box on 11 minutes but his shot was struck straight at Joel Robles.
Joe Willock threaded the ball to Miguel Almiron on 15 minutes but his shot hit the side netting, with Robles seemingly having it covered. But on 27 minutes, Newcastle came close to going two down in what had been a feisty start at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo skipped into the box with Joelinton adjudged to have felled him in the box. Ref Simon Hooper pointed straight to the spot with Patrick Bamford taking on the responsibilities just before the half-hour mark.
But Pope would emerge the hero as he guessed the right way and kept it out before denying Bamford on the follow up. That moment sent the travelling Toon Army into raptures but they would be even more delighted moments later.
For when Bruno slipped in Alexander Isak down the right he was sent tumbling by Maximilian Wober with Hooper pointing to the penalty spot for the second time in two minutes. After Kieran Trippier got involved with the mind games, looking like he was assuming the job from 12-yards, the ball was then passed to Wilson.
After a little dummy, he clipped the ball beyond the reach of Robles and into the keeper's right-hand side. After going dangerously close to being 2-0 down, the game was suddenly all square.
Just three minutes and 33 seconds after Bamford had missed, the Magpies had turned the game on its head again. Sam Greenwood sent a shot over for Leeds just before the break before Almiron sent a shot fizzing wide in first half stoppage time.
The two teams went in level at the break with Newcastle enjoying 68% possession. Leeds made a change at the start of the second half with Adam Forshaw replacing Greenwood.
Almiron and Isak linked up on 51 minutes before Wilson's shot was deflected over for a corner. Trippier swung the ball in but Leeds survived the set-piece. Bruno was issued with a yellow card for diving on 57 minutes as the Elland Road faithful jeered wildly.
Firpo was then cautioned for a challenge on Bruno with VAR also taking a look at a possible red card, but he got away with a caution. Leeds introduced Italian international teenager Wilfried Gnonto much to the approval of the home fans as he replaced Jack Harrison.
But Newcastle were then handed - quite literally - their second penalty of the afternoon with Firpo's crazy decision to stick a hand in the air as he challenged with Isak. After a VAR review and screen check from Hooper, he pointed to the spot.
With 21 minutes left though Wilson kept his cool and blasted it down the middle to make it 2-1 and put Newcastle in control. Moments later, Howe turned to his bench and brought on Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon to offer fresh pace with Wilson and Almiron going off.
Gordon released Isak down the right before he squared it to Saint-Maximin to tap home but the flag went up for an offside call. And Leeds came at the Magpies again to force a leveller.
Gnonto broke down the left and floated a cross into the box which Newcastle failed to clear before it rolled out to Rasmus Kristensen who powered home via a deflection off Trippier with 11 minutes to go. Saint-Maximin tried his luck with five minutes to go but the keeper gathered well low down.
Howe brought on Elliot Anderson fro Joe Willock with four minutes to go of regulation time. Gordon won a free-kick in stoppage time -with Firpo also sent off for the foul - but Trippier could not hit the target.
The game ended in a farce as Howe was approached by a Leeds fan in the dugout before security forces escorted the middle-aged man to the exit where he was later arrested. It's a point in the pocket for Newcastle but the home club will surely be in hot water after a major security incident.
Referee: Simon Hooper
Attendance: 36,955
