ST JAMES’ PARK’S smallest Premier League crowd for seven years witnessed another frustrating Newcastle United performance on Saturday, as the Magpies only managed a 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Watford.

Supporters continued to vote with their feet after a summer of discontent, with just 44,127 in attendance to see Will Hughes open the scoring after 78 seconds and Fabian Schar restore parity before half time.

It was a tough day for Miguel Almiron, who is still looking for his first Newcastle goal after signing in January, as he missed two big chances to win it in either half.

Steve Bruce says it will only take one for the former Atlanta United man to get off the mark after a “missed opportunity” to get a second successive league win.

“It was hard work today, but the Premier League is hard work,” he said.

“We had a bad start and had to chase it, but there were two big chances in the game and we didn’t take them. It was a real missed opportunity.

“[Almiron] is a delight to work with, he just needs a break, something to go his way. Hopefully when he gets one, he’ll be off and running, because the two big chances fell to him today. His work-rate, attitude and energy [are great], and he’s a terrific footballer, the kid.

“He plays with confidence, I see him train every day and he scores. He might just need one to go in off his back-side.”

Many of those that did turn up hadn’t reached their seats when Hughes slotted home from close range after Tom Cleverley’s effort was deflected into his path.

Newcastle, though, weren’t deterred by their disastrous start. They should have been level within two minutes; Christian Atsu broke down the left and found an unmarked Almiron, but the Paraguayan’s control left him down as Ben Foster smothered his effort.

Three minutes before the break, Newcastle equalised through Schar. The Swiss defender marauded forward in typical fashion at the start of the attack, and met Isaac Hayden’s header from Emil Krafth’s cross to scramble past Foster, though there appeared to be a handball in the build-up, which was missed by VAR and should have seen the goal ruled out.

The second half started with raised intensity from the home side, who had three decent chances before the hour. Schar headed wide as Almiron scuffed another shot, then Hayden tested Foster with a strike from distance.

Jetro Willems flashed the ball across goal, but nobody was there to tap home. Newcastle were pushing on but Watford had fired a couple of warning shots themselves.

Hornets substitute Isaac Success almost put his side back in front when he headed Cleverley’s corner towards goal, but he was acrobatically denied by Martin Dubravka, who was on hand again to thwart Roberto Pereyra.

Watford boss Javi Gracia says the result was fair and positive after a poor start to the campaign.

“It is an important point, a good point, because in the first three games we weren’t able to get anything,” he said.

“It could have been a different result, but we started the scoring, then they scored and at the start of the second half they played better. We had some clear chances, but to be honest it was an equal game.”