Newcastle United conceded yet another late goal as Bayer Leverkusen rescued a 2-2 Champions League draw at BayArena on Wednesday.

Eddie Howe’s side have made a habit of costly late concessions this season, and Alejandro Grimaldo’s 88th-minute equaliser added to the theme after the Magpies had earlier come from behind to lead.

Bruno Guimaraes unwittingly put Leverkusen in front in the 13th minute, deflecting Robert Andrich’s close-range header over the line for an own goal.

And Newcastle were slightly fortunate not to suffer a second major setback when Malick Thiaw was adjudged to have brought down Patrik Schick just outside the area with a team-mate covering. This borderline decision could have instead seen both a penalty and a red card given.

Instead, the visitors were awarded a spot-kick early in the second half as Mark Flekken dallied on the ball and tangled with the advancing Nick Woltemade, and Anthony Gordon sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Gordon almost had his second as a left-footed drive thumped the base of the post, and he then turned provider with a teasing cross that teenage substitute Lewis Miley headed in.

A frantic period saw Flekken somehow deny Thiaw, before Jacob Murphy struck the post, then Aaron Ramsdale had to recover well after Gordon’s heavy pass, and the goalkeeper’s rushed clearance set up a chance for Nathan Tella.

But Newcastle could not withstand the pressure that built after that opportunity and were cut open by a pass that Grimaldo dummied before running onto Ibrahim Maza’s lay-off and finishing under Ramsdale.