Graziano Pelle had put the visitors in front in the first half, but goals either side of the break from Papiss Cisse and Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Magpies the lead.
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Southampton opened the scoring thanks to a Graziano Pelle header, courtesy of a ball whipped in from new boy Cedric Soares.
Despite the score, it was a positive start to the season from both teams and McClaren especially will be pleased with what he saw from his new charges.
But just two minutes before halftime, Newcastle worked themselves back level.
Newcastle boss Steve McClaren could hand debut to new boys Chancel Mbemba and Aleksandar Mitrovic in his side’s curtain raiser against Southampton, while skipper Fabricio Coloccini is also a major doubt with an Achilles problem.
Cedric Soares got in down the right but couldn’t beat Tim Krul from a tight angle on 15 minutes, while Cisse fired straight at Maarten Stekelenburg seconds later. He crossed to the back post for Coloccini, who chested it down, flicked it past Matt Targett and then knocked the ball against Maya Yoshida’s elbow from close range.
24′ GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Southampton: Pelle scores for Southampton!
McClaren was visibly frustrated when Newcastle were denied a penalty once more as the ball appeared to strike Jay Rodriguez’s arm in the box, and then when Cisse went down a few minutes later.
McClaren lasted 29 minutes before reverting to the dug-out, but started the second half up high too.
In the 42nd minute, the home side deservedly grabbed an equaliser in a rather fortunate fashion.
Newcastle’s first substitution came in the 67th minute, as Cheick Tiote replaced Vurnon Anita, who was carried off on a stretcher after landing heavily following an aerial challenge with Mane.
Eljero Elia scored both goals for the Saints in their victory on Tyneside, with Yoan Gouffran netting for Newcastle.
However, Southampton couldn’t maintain their lead until the break, with Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse deflecting an effort into the back of the net to make it all square at half-time.
In the first-half, chances were shared between the two, with summer-signing Georginio Wijnaldum looking lively.
Unfortunately, just four minutes later, substitute Shane Long brought Southampton level. Substitute, Shane Long, was introduced in the 75th minute and made an instant impact, as the Irish global headed home the equaliser.
With about 90 seconds left of added time, Mane almost scored again, bursting forward from halfway and cutting onto his left foot 18 yards out, only to bend his shot just wide, as Saints had to settle for a point.
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Newcastle United travel to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City next week; while Southampton welcome Everton to St Mary’s.
