However, the result was marred by a double injury setback as both Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse limped out of the game.
Ben Arfa has a hamstring problem and now looks set to miss Sunday's trip to Southampton, while Cisse hurt his thigh.
"We are just having blow after blow really," said Magpies boss Alan Pardew, who saw Sylvain Marveaux's opener cancelled out by Philipe Fidelis 11 minutes from time.
"Hatem and Papiss both got injured so we are going to have to wait and see on Papiss. His thigh stiffened up at half-time and we didn't take a chance. Hatem will probably miss Sunday.
"That affected us because we were short on the bench. We never really had enough attacking flair on the pitch to keep the ball and keep the pressure on. Therefore we were sitting really and unfortunately we conceded.
"We have got two very good players there who affect the game and when they come off the pitch, suddenly it gives the other team a lift.
"But we needed to get a result and got that and got through.
"I look at this competition - with a sticky second half today but otherwise I think we have been excellent."
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