Neither Birmingham City nor Huddersfield Town were able to make meaningful strides in their campaign to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Two second half goals, five minutes apart, from Frazier Campbell and Marc Roberts meant a low quality clash between two modest teams ended all square.
Campbell scored for the eighth time in 11 games against Blues - Roberts for the second time this season.
In doing so Blues are now six points clear of the bottom three but having played three games more than Rotherham. They drew level with Coventry City who lost at St Andrew's to Middlesbrough.
Karanka made three changes to the side which beat QPR - and with the change of shape went the relative cohesion of recent matches.
Huddersfield weren't much better and the result was a poor first half that ended 0-0 and provided very few chances.
Ivan Sanchez probably had Blues' best two openings, in the 30th and 35th minutes, when on both occasions he worked his way into the area but didn't work the goalkeeper.
His first drive was headed clear by Richard Stearman and he should have done better than slice his second high and wide.
Pipa had a low drive saved by Neil Etheridge for the Terriers and Isaac Mbenza hammered a free kick way over the bar just before the break.
At the start of the second half Alen Halilovic should have done better than loop Jeremie Bela's pull back harmlessly at the goalkeeper.
The opening goal came in the 63rd minute and from a weak clearance by Harlee Dean.
The Blues captain's volley only found Campbell on the edge of the area and the striker rammed past Etheridge from 20 yards.
The visitors were only behind for five minutes though, as Roberts pounced on a loose ball from a corner to equalise from close range.
Etheridge was nearly caught out by Duane Holmes' late inswinging corner which he had to palm over.
Scott Hogan missed a glorious chance to win it in stoppage time after a flick on from Roberts' long throw-in but prodded over.
STARTING FORMATION
4-2-3-1
PLAYERS
ETHERIDGE 6.5
Had one weak shot from Pipa to claim in the first half - and that was pretty much it. Kicking from the floor OK and had no chance with Campbell goal.
COLIN 6
One lovely exchange with Sanchez sent him scampering clear on the half hour but he ran out of space. Did OK in defence and looked to get upfield but tired towards the end.
Gallery: Newcastle Player Ratings: Manchester United (A) (Read Sport)
ROBERTS 8*
A couple of wobbly moments with the ball at his feet. Strong in the air and in the right place to ram home the equaliser. A good return to the team.
DEAN 6.5
Booked for catching Stearman early on but otherwise started to turn in a judicious defensive display - before his brain fade on the Campbell goal.
PEDERSEN 7
Huddersfield targeted him with diagonals to Holmes or Mbenza, it wasn't always comfortable but the Dane did OK. Another solid showing.
HARPER 5
Looked way off the pace in the first half, treating the ball like a hot potato. Slightly better in the second period but this was the display of a man low on energy.
SUNJIC 6
A very Sunjic display, energetic, committed but really not great with the ball.
SANCHEZ 7
Wasteful with Blues' two openings of the first half, the second of which was a really poor attempt. However, his desire to win possession back was superb. A real shift considering he's been playing with a groin injury.
HALILOVIC 6.5
Neat on the ball but forced to come too deep in the first half. Showed his technical ability at times in the second too but also brushed off the ball to easily on occasion. Might have done better after working his way to the bye-line just before he came off.
BELA 7
Probably Blues' best player in the opening period, looked as though he had the beating of his man whenever he wanted. Put in some decent crosses in the second too.
JUTKIEWICZ 5
Isolated for large parts and left to battle Stearman and Sarr. Looked leggy.
SUBSTITUTES
Hogan (for Jutkiewicz, 83) N/A
Gardner (for Halilovic, 83) N/A
Valery (Sanchez 90+2)
Not used: Prieto, Friend, Clarke-Salter, Clayton, Leko, McGree
OPPOSITION
HUDDERSFIELD (4-3-3): Schofield; Edmonds-Green, Stearman, Sarr, Pipa; Bacuna, Vallejo (High 73), O'Brien; Holmes, Campbell (Sanogo 84), Mbenza (Rowe 62). Not used: Pereira, Keogh, Duhaney, Thomas, Crichlow, Phillips
GOALS
HUDDERSFIELD: Campbell (63)
BLUES: Roberts (67)
REFEREE: Mathew Donohue
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