Bridget Galloway's first-half penalty ultimately was the closest either side came to scoring in a game that featured plenty of guile and just lacked the clinical touch.

The result means both Newcastle and Burnley are still unbeaten in the league, with the Magpies having beaten the visitors in the FAWNL Cup in August.

Langley's team started the match on the front foot and, after a series of early corners, Elysia Boddy fired an outside-of-the-foot effort narrowly over the bar.

Georgia Gibson and Boddy then saw shots blocked before Gibson fired a left-footed strike over.

The visitors responded to the early pressure and started to impose themselves on Newcastle's backline.

The Magpies continued to cause problems for Burnley, with Tyler Dodds and Kacie Elson finding space on the wings to run at defenders and get balls into the box.

With 34 minutes of the clock, Newcastle went close to taking the lead. Boddy once more fired a shot from the edge of the box and it was parried back into the area, but Galloway fired wide from close range.

Five minutes later, after breaking into the box from the left, Elson was caught and the referee blew for a penalty. In-form forward Galloway stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but dragged her effort wide of the post.

Gibson then went close once more, but Burnley defended well in the first 45 minutes to ensure the sides went in level at 0-0.

The whistle went for the start of the second half mere moments before Newcastle threatened once more. Emma Kelly tried her luck and Kirsty Levell was equal to it.

Langley's team showed no signs of easing off in their search for an opener, with Galloway and Boddy both seeing shots blocked by the Burnley defence.

Elson was the next to get a sight of goal, popping up inside the box before hitting a looping volley over the goal.

Despite the attacking intent of the Magpies, Burnley fired a warning shot when Aimee Kelly picked the pocket of the otherwise formidable Charlotte Potts and flashed a fierce attempt just past Grace Donnelly's post.

The visitors had another opportunity when a long-range effort was palmed by Donnelly. The ball dropped in the box and the Newcastle goalkeeper was able to react to the second ball and claw it away from danger.

Kelly spent much of the second half trying to create openings for her team-mates but, after 76 minutes, the ball landed at her feet just outside the six-yard box, following good work from Dodds and substitute Jasmine McQuade. The midfielder ran onto the ball but got under her effort a little bit too much to send it over the crossbar.

Burnley broke in behind as the match became end-to-end; a strike from Lois Marley-Paraskevas, however, failed to trouble Donnelly.

But in the latter stages, it was the Magpies who were forcing the issue more than their North West counterparts. Deep into added time, the ball almost fell to Olivia Watt, and then Becky Ferguson, in the box but the Burnley defence was able to scramble clear.

Despite United's best efforts, they had to settle for a point against the league leaders but Langley's team are still unbeaten at the start of the campaign.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Olivia Watt, Charlotte Potts, Naomi Bedeau, Jodie Bartle, Tyler Dodds, Elysia Boddy, Georiga Gibson (Jasmine McQuade 65), Emma Kelly, Kacie Elson (Becky Ferguson 81), Bridget Galloway (Katie Barker 74).

Subs not used: Cara Milne-Redhead, Hannah Greenwood.

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock