Combined Reports


LONDON -- Robert Lee fired in a 20-meter equalizer to earn Newcastle a 1-1 tie and a replay after Blackburn had threatened to dominate a high powered F.A. Cup third-round game.


In the only third-round game to involve two top-flight teams, Premier League leader Blackburn went ahead Sunday after 31 minutes at Newcastle through Chris Sutton's goal but Lee tied the game with a deserved equalizer in the 56th.


In other third-round games, Crystal Palace ended its eight-game scoreless run by crushing third division Lincoln 5-1 at home but Manchester City had to twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 tie at Notts County, which places last in Division One.


After Newcastle's Peter Beardsley had headed wide from Barry Venison's well-flighted cross, Blackburn Rovers took control of the game at St James' Park.


Sutton fired the visitor ahead after swapping passes with England striker Alan Shearer and Newcastle was lucky to be only one goal down at the break.


It was a different story in the second half, however, and after Venison had shot against the bar, Lee latched onto the ball and cruised past two defenders before shooting home from just outside the penalty area.


Near the end, Newcastle claimed a penalty when Ruel Fox appeared to be hauled down by Paul Warhurst but the referee waved play on and the two teams must meet again at Ewood Park on Jan. 18.


In Scotland, Motherwell missed out on a chance of regaining second place from Hibernian in the Premier Division and cutting Rangers' 12-point lead by going down 2-1 at home to Hearts.


In Saturday's F.A. Cup action, veteran defender Gary Bennett slotted home a penalty four minutes from time as second division Wrexham shocked Premier League strugglers Ipswich 2-1.


The tiny Welsh club, which humbled Arsenal in the third round three years ago, was a giantkiller on a day when the aspirations of four minor-league sides foundered on the rock solid defenses of their rivals in the English soccer elite.


Leeds United defender David Wetherall denied third division Walsall a major scalp reminiscent of their 1932 upset act over mighty Arsenal with an 87th minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw.


Wolverhampton Wanderers, four times winners and gunning for promotion from the first division, came from 2-0 down at third division Mansfield to win 3-2, scoring three goals in 19 minutes.


Minor-league Aylesbury was crushed 4-0 by Queen's Park Rangers in a home game rescheduled to its rival's West London ground, while Altrincham fell 3-0 to eight times F.A. Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.


Marlow and Enfield, two more minor-league sides that played away, both lost 2-0 to first division Swindon and Premier League Leicester respectively.


Second division leader Birmingham, unbeaten in 21 games, held second-favorite Liverpool, winner in 1989 and 1992, 0-0, while first division Millwall also held Arsenal 0-0.


Sheffield Wednesday survived the sending off of goalkeeper Kevin Pressman just before half-time to win 2-1 at third division Gillingham after former Tottenham, Marseilles and England winger Chris Waddle had opened its account.


Two players were also sent off in Norwich City's 1-0 win away to first division Grimsby, while visiting Stoke fans invaded the pitch and clashed with stewards and police at half-time in the goalless draw in the all first division game at Bristol City.


Manchester United, favorite to retain the F.A. Cup and gunning for a second successive double including the league title, was to play away to first division Sheffield United on Monday night.