Magpies held by battling Swans

Michel Vorm and the woodwork kept Newcastle at bay as Swansea picked up just their third away point of the Barclays Premier League season in a goalless draw.

Demba Ba was denied a 12th goal of the season by both the woodwork and Swansea goalkeeper Vorm as Newcastle's hopes of a first win in five Barclays Premier League games were dashed.

The Senegal international fired against an upright after skipper Fabricio Coloccini had earlier hit the other post and then saw Vorm react brilliantly to turn away his 42nd-minute volley as the Magpies threatened to run riot before the break.

Winger Jonas Gutierrez also went within a few inches of a superb opener. But on an afternoon when the two clubs paid tribute to former Newcastle and Wales midfielder Gary Speed, they could not mark the occasion with a victory in front of a crowd of 51,767.

The Magpies have now taken just two points from the past 15 on offer, although a fixture list which handed them clashes with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea on consecutive weekends is a major factor in that.

Swansea remain without an away win since their promotion to the top flight and given the chances Newcastle created they might have left the pitch at half-time four goals behind.

Coloccini dived to head Yohan Cabaye's free-kick against the post after 19 minutes, and striker Ba was denied in the same way four minutes later after acrobatically volleying towards goal.

Ba saw another effort blocked by Swansea's Ashley Williams, and then Vorm pulled off his fine reaction save before the break.

But Newcastle would eventually rue the missed opportunities as they went flat in the second half.

Indeed, Swansea went close to pinching a winner 16 minutes from time when Scott Sinclair fired just wide of the right post, lashing a shot across goal.