Middlesbrough 2-2 Newcastle: The Daily Mirror match report

“We'll meet again, don’t know where don’t know when,” sang the Newcastle travelling supporters.

Then the banner was unfurled from the Boro fans, with a giant red arrow pointing to the Geordie gathering: “Trophy Virgins.”

Boro’s last taste of silverware was the Carling Cup in 2004 – Newcastle’s was 41 long years ago.

They still debate whether this is actually a derby in the North East, Sunderland being the Geordies’ bitter rivals of choice.

But given the banter, humour, and atmosphere – not to mention a season’s-best crowd – it certainly appeared to be a special clash for both clubs.

Boro’s goals were made in Scotland, with Celtic old boys Barry Robson and Scott McDonald putting the visitors 2-1 up with less than 20 minutes remaining.

But then Newcastle strike hero Andy Carroll popped up to grab an 84th-minute leveller – and reveal that he could be heading north of the border himself in a bizarre international switch.

The England under-21 striker has Scottish roots and is on new Scotland boss Craig Levein’s wish-list. Levein will make a bid to get Carroll to join the Tartan Army in time for the Euro qualifiers next season.

Carroll, who took his tally to 12 for the season, has his granny to thank for Scottish eligibilty.

And a FIFA rule change, which means that under-21 honours need not prevent a player from switching nationalities at senior level, has encouraged Carroll to measure up for a kilt.

Carroll said: “I have heard I am wanted by Scotland and it is in the back of my mind. A few of the backroom staff at Newcastle are Scottish and are getting on to me about playing for Scotland. They keep telling me to get up there.

“It is nice to know I am wanted. But England is where I am from. It is my country and that is who I want to play for.”

And Carroll reckons the point picked up at the Riverside on Saturday could prove crucial come the final reckoning.

“It was a good result here,” he said. “Forest lost but we have to focus on the points we can get. I am not bothered about anyone else.”

Newcastle’s opener came from Peter Lovenkrands, who finished off a sweeping move involving two dozen passes and a killer final ball from Jonas Gutierrez.

A draw was about fair, but as Boro manager Gordon Strachan admitted, it didn’t help their play-off cause.

Striker McDonald had never before seen the Riverside heaving and so noisy, and has called for a repeat to aid one last push for the top six.

The Aussie international said: “We are still in there but we need to get wins on the board now. We need a minimum of five wins and even that might not be enough. You have got to be looking at 20-plus points out of 30 to get in there.

“If nothing else we hope we have given the fans optimism for next season. The support today was great.

”When I ran out I said ‘this is more like it.’ It’s fair to say it’s something I have missed after playing in front of crowds like that at Celtic.

“It does make a difference when fans are loud like that week in and week out. It gives you more of an edge.”