Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hailed a "magnificent effort" from his 10-man team in their 1-1 Wear-Tyne derby draw at Sunderland on Sunday.
The visitors went ahead after three minutes through Yohan Cabaye, but they were on the back foot when Cheick Tiote was sent off after 25 minutes.
The Magpies nearly held out, though, only for Demba Ba's own goal four minutes from time to earn Sunderland a point at the Stadium of Light.
Pardew told Sky Sports: "It was a magnificent effort. We said to the players before the game how important it was to the fans, we've now shown how important it is to us.
"Playing an hour with 10 men, if we could have just seen it out it would have been one of the greatest victories ever here. But it's a great point and I'm very proud of my players."
Pardew likened Fabricio Coloccini to Bobby Moore after his fine performance.
Pardew said: "Maybe if Coloccini had stayed on, he would have seen that out. He was absolutely phenomenal today.
"If you want an example of a centre-half playing where you have got to head it, kick it, cover people, get in the right position and then have the calmness to play, that was your example.
"I come from a famous football club, West Ham, and that was like watching Bobby Moore today. He was terrific.
"You have also got to understand - and it sometimes goes a little bit under the radar - at the Premier League level, what is asked of you physically.
"If we had had 11, I think he could have made the game, but because we went down to 10, there was just too much work for him and both calves tightened up.
"But what a performance, seriously, one of the best he has given for me, for sure."
Newcastle came within five minutes of claiming a second successive victory in enemy territory after Yohan Cabaye had given them a third-minute lead with a well-struck shot.
However, Tiote's premature departure for a reckless challenge on Steven Fletcher changed the game and although the Magpies defended manfully, they were undone at the death when John O'Shea's header hit the unwitting Ba and flew past Krul.
Pardew had no complaints about the sending-off which left his side facing an uphill task.
He said: "At first I didn't think it was that bad, but looking back at it again we can't have any complaints. But what a response from the rest of the group."
Sunderland defender John O'Shea felt the hosts deserved a point.
"I think so," he said. "Newcastle have a good shape about them, work hard on their shape with two banks of four and the big men up front, so it was difficult, but we managed to get the goal.
"It was a great game to be involved in, both (sets of) players wanted to win so much, It was vital not to lose the game."
Sebastian Larsson admitted he was starting to lose hope before the late leveller.
"When we had that much possession for so long we were starting to doubt it maybe, but luckily we managed to get the equaliser.
"It would have been devastating to lose that game, all that possession and not to get a goal would have been harsh."
Sunderland have now won just one of the last 16 derbies, but perhaps more worryingly, have tasted victory only once in the 15 Premier League matches they have played since March.
However, manager Martin O'Neill was relieved to have come away with a point after a performance which for too long caused the 10 men too few problems.
He said: "Do you know what? When we equalised, it was one of the best moments, it really was, and to be accompanied by that noise...
"There's an element of relief, but every derby game I have ever been involved in either here or in Scotland, there has always been an element of relief.
"In the second half, sheer pressure alone probably yielded us the goal rather than anything flamboyantly brilliant.
"We got the goal and maybe had enough time them to go on and win it, but in the circumstances with Newcastle being down to 10 men and having defended so strongly, that would have been harsh."
