WHEN Sunderland supporters start asking ex-Magpie star Peter Beardsley for his autograph at half-time during a home derby game against arch-rivals Newcastle United there is certainly something odd going on.

And it wasn't because the Wearsiders were so far in front of their old enemies they could afford to be magnaminous - the scoreline was blank and there was everything to play for.

No, the 120th League meeting between the teams had all the passion and fervour but - dare I say it - there was a decided lack of HATRED between the two factions.

Yes, they hurled abuse at one another and responded to provocative chants, but there wasn't the violent nastiness or snarling aggression which has overshadowed and blighted recent derby games.

Beardsley, who made his name at St James' Park and had few friends down the road in his playing days, was pleasantly surprised - and delighted - by the change.

The former England international, doing radio work at the Stadium of Light, admitted: "I was a bit apprehensive about coming here during a derby game and I thought being an ex-Newcastle player I would take a lot of stick from the Sunderland fans.

"But they have been very friendly indeed to me and I'm pleased that the general atmosphere between the two sets of fans has been extremely good."

Even the sight of nine bookings, which gave a completely misleading picture of the amount of misconduct on the pitch, and the rejection of a couple of penalty appeals did not have the rival sections baying for blood.

It was not the best of derby games in footballing terms, but both teams gave their all in a fiercely contested encounter which, perhaps appropriately, ended all square, even though Sunderland might have rightly claimed to have had the edge.

Peter Reid's men had the darting Julio Arca - the little Argentinian showed delightful skills - and the hard-grafting Don Hutchison, while Newcastle's stars were goalkeeper Shay Given, once a Roker Park favourite, and solid central defender Nikos Dabidas.

It was a powerful, pressing attack against a dogged, determined defence, and the tussle, without being awe-inspiring, was generally fascinating as the teams engaged in a parry and thrust which held the attention.

Newcastle missed a great chance to take a shock lead in the sixth minute when Scottish international Kevin Gallagher scuffed his shot close in as Dabidas head down a freekick which had the home defence at full stretch.

But Sunderland settled, getting better as Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn found his feet after an uncertain start when he looked ungainly in the presence of the sure-footed Arca.

But Quinn was a handful for Dabizas after the Greek's long injury lay-off, and brought a desperate, clawing save out of Given, his header bouncing up powerfully in the 22nd minute.

Given, who had a memorable loan period with Sunderland in First Division days, looked confident and capable, but he could only stand and watch as a fierce header from Brazilian defender Emerson Thome cannoned off the angle following two delicate chipped centres from Arca.

Then the over-worked United defence almost conceded an own goal as new boy Andy O'Brien deflected a low shot from Arca across the six-yard box.

Just as they'd threatened soon after the start, Newcastle almost came up with a shock just before the break when Carl Cort woke from his slumbers to latch on to a great ball on the edge of the penalty area, but finished dismally weakly with a shot straight at Thomas Sorensen, the penalty-saving hero of Sunderland's 2-1 victory at St James's Park in November.

Newcastle appeared relieved to go in at half-time on level terms, for they had been on the receiving end for most of the period. Their midfield had produced very little and in particular the highly-skilled Peruvian Nolberto Solano had not been aroused by the highly-charged atmosphere, leaving Gary Speed to catch the eye with the occasional flash of creativity.

Certainly Sunderland would have been much happier with their performance, confident that a goal would come.

Given, however, remained resolute, making a superb one-handed save to keep out a header from Kevin Phillips, who was constantly looking for an opportunity to break a nine-match barren run on home turf.

When the goal did arrive it came from an unexpected source - French fullback Patrice Carteron, who raced into the penalty area on to an inch-perfect through ball from Hutchison to leave the slightly hesitant Given helpless with a clinical finish.

Intead of opening the floodgates, however, the goal seemed to inject new life and determination into Newcastle, and it was Sorensen's turn to demonstrate his reflexes, making a one-handed save from Cort.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson then decided to replace Gallagher, Solano and Chilean midfielder Clarence Acuna, and the triple substitution, in the 76th minute, paid immediate dividends.

Newcomer Andy Griffin hoisted a centre over from the right, Cort knocked the ball across and O'Brien earned the adulation of the mightily relieved Magpie fans by forcing home a low shot.

A draw was then very much on the cards, as both sides continued to slug it out toe-to-toe, but they were tired exchanges and the honours remained even.

Robson picked out Given and Dabizas as his best performers, admitting: "Sunderland had more of the ball and therefore created more chances.

"I don't think we deserved to win, but we earned a point through our battling qualities - overall we probably deserved a point."

Reid, however, felt that his side had the edge and should have completed a double over their great rivals.

But he enjoyed the highly competitive game and reserved special praise for both sets of supporters, who conducted themselves admirably throughout a fiercely competitive game watched by millions of television viewers.

He said: "It was a terrific game and a terrific atmosphere - both sets of fans were outstanding, the players put on a good show and I think the North-East has a lot to be proud of."