Newcastle conceded again from a set-piece in Europe as Eddie Howe admitted concern before this weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby

Newcastle United conceded yet another late goal as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Eddie Howe again left frustrated by familiar defensive problems.

Leverkusen took the lead early on when a corner was turned into the net by Bruno Guimarães, before Anthony Gordon equalised from the penalty spot shortly after half-time. Substitute Lewis Miley then produced a landmark moment, becoming Newcastle’s youngest Champions League goalscorer as he put Howe’s side 2-1 up. But the advantage slipped away in the closing minutes as Alejandro Grimaldo struck an 88th-minute leveller.

The result denied Newcastle the chance to strengthen their position in the group and left them still short of confirming their place in the next stage. It also extended an unwanted pattern: in each of their last three matches, Gordon has scored a penalty, Newcastle have conceded from a set-piece, and they have let in a goal in the final moments.

Howe did not hide his frustration at the latest setback. Howe said: “I think rather than focus on the lateness of the goal, it's more the way we're conceding currently. The timing, for me, is irrelevant. The first goal, in particular, to be honest, that's the one that really gets me.

“We worked a lot on set plays in between the last game, and we didn't defend it well enough. Gave ourselves a mountain to climb, and I thought the lads did really well to respond to that. But we've done the hard work, we're in front, and then there are cases we have to defend well, and we didn't for that moment.”

Despite the frustration, the draw represents the first time this season Newcastle have fallen behind and still managed to take something from the match. There was also a moment of fortune for Howe’s side in the first half when Malick Thiaw was penalised for a foul on Patrik Schick in the box, only for VAR to change the decision to a free-kick just outside the area.

Howe added: “I thought the players deserve a lot of credit for that response, because you come here and you're 1-0 down, the crowd's in the game. Maybe slightly fortunate in that moment where Malik [Thiaw] almost gives the penalty away.

“That was a big moment for us, that gave us the stability maybe we needed. The second half was a lot better. I thought we were more aggressive in both phases, both on our press and in possession. Played with more belief and looked a really good team, and we're inches away from making it 3-1 a few times. Yeah, that's really frustrating.”

Despite the late equaliser, Newcastle remain well placed to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time, sitting in a play-off position with PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain still to come. Howe said: “We have to believe. When we started the Champions League campaign, if we thought it was going to be easy, I think we're in the wrong competition.

“We've got very, very good teams. We're travelling. The game schedule that we've got, all these things you add together makes it a challenging period for us, but I think the players are navigating it really well. I think we are playing with a clear identity and a plan, which, before the international break, I was disappointed with a couple of the performances. I think we've come back strong in that respect. We have it all to prove. The two games we have are very difficult games, but I believe in the group. Wherever we go, if we're near our best, we can win.”

Newcastle now turn their attention to Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light, with defensive lapses and late concessions becoming a notable concern ahead of facing Sunderland.