LEE BOWYER was given a hero's welcome to St James' Park last night as the Toon Army rallied round the controversial midfielder.

After Bowyer was booed by opposing fans during recent matches at the Asia Cup and Sheffield Wednesday, there was not a dissenting voice among the 32,277 supporters that saw Newcastle's final friendly before their Champions League qualifier.

He delivered a neat performance on the right-hand side of midfield without ever really standing out as Alan Shearer warmed up for the new season with two goals, making it five in two outings after his hat-trick at Hartlepool last Friday.

Bowyer's first touch of the ball yesterday evening was greeted with warm applause, while he was twice given a standing ovation by supporters in the Leazes End and the East Stand as he jogged across to take a corner.

He saluted all four sides of St James' Park when he was replaced by Nobby Solano after 67 minutes, and was greeted with a handshake and a pat on the back from Sir Bobby Robson.

The closest Bowyer came to having a decisive outcome in the game was in the fifth minute, when Laurent Robert's drilled cross just evaded the midfielder as he slid in at the back post.

Robson said: "I was delighted with our crowd. I thought the response by the Sheffield public to Bowyer was poor; I can't do much about it, but I didn't like it at all.

"I've said to him it might be difficult at some places but he's got to be a tough character. It's a different story here and they were a big help for him.

"He did well and I was enraptured with our crowd because we need it. It was a wonderful response and support, and he really appreciated it.''

Newcastle were given a stiff test ahead of their first competitive match, which is against either Djurgardens or Partizan Belgrade next Wednesday.

Twice Shearer put them in front either side of half time, only for Bayern Munich to equalise on both occasions as the Magpies were denied a victorious end to their pre-season programme.

Newcastle took the lead in the 40th minute when Shearer seized on Craig Bellamy's weighted through ball and coolly rounded goalkeeper Michael Rensing before slotting into an empty net.

Bayern were the better side at the start of the second half, and it took a combination of Shay Given and Kieron Dyer to scramble the ball away from underneath the Magpies crossbar after a corner.

But the Germans eventually received due reward for their pressure with a wonderful leveller after 61 minutes.

Gary Speed was perhaps unfortunate to be penalised for a challenge on Claudio Pizarro, but there was no doubting the quality of the goal; a magnificent curling 25-yard free-kick from England midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

Rensing then made a fine save to foil Shearer after the striker had collected his poor goal kick, but four minutes from time the Newcastle captain fired a superb long-range drive beyond the keeper.

Still Bayern would not be cowed, however, and Pizarro struck in the 90th minute after evading a couple of challenges.

Newcastle had chances to snatch a late winner - Shola Ameobi (twice) and Robert could have scored in stoppage time - but Bayern held on.

Bellamy was replaced as a precautionary measure with a groin injury, but should be fit for next Wednesday.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Given; Griffin, O'Brien, Bramble, Bernard; Bowyer (Solano 67min), Dyer, Speed, Robert; Shearer, Bellamy (Ameobi 62). Subs (not used): Jenas, Viana, S Caldwell, Hughes, Harper (gk).

Bayern Munich (4-1-3-2): Rensing; Sagnol, Lell, Kovac (Schweinsteiger 46), Lizarazu; Jeremies; Hargreaves (Fink 72), Ballack (Trochowski 72), Scholl; Elber (Pizarro 46), Feulner (Salihamidzic 46). Referee: Jeff Winter

Result: Newcastle United 2 - 2 Bayern Munich

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