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Zeljeznicar 0-1 Newcastle

Kieron Dyer grabbed the goal against Zeljeznicar in Sarajevo which put Newcastle within touching distance of the Champions League.

The England midfielder played a perfect 56th-minute one-two with skipper Alan Shearer before lifting the ball over keeper Kenan Hagasic.

Key moments

46 mins: Shay Given saves from Jure Guvo

56 mins: Kieron Dyer scores for Newcastle

88 mins: Shola Ameobi hits the crossbar

It was just reward for Sir Bobby Robson's men, who fought all the way and could have won more comfortably had they taken their chances.

Lomana LuaLua and Jermaine Jenas both missed with first-half headers and substitute Shola Ameobi hit the bar two minutes from time.

However, it took a fine save from Shay Given to prevent Jure Guvo giving the home side a 46th-minute lead.

Unmarked

But apart from a couple of defensive slips, with French full-back Olivier Bernard guilty on more than one occasion, Newcastle were rarely in any trouble during the first half.

After the break, LuaLua's pace proved useful for Robson's side as he played Dyer into space on the right after 53 minutes.

Newcastle striker Alan Shearer
Shearer enjoys his return to European action
But with Hugo Viana unmarked in he middle, he could only pick out the keeper.

However, Dyer redeemed himself three minutes later as United staged a lighting raid into enemy territory.

Champions League photo gallery

LuaLua once again broke from halfway and committed defenders before finding Dyer.

He played a perfect one-two with Shearer and lifted the ball over the advancing Hagasic to send the small band of travelling supporters into raptures.

Read Dyer's tips in the BBC Sport Academy

Newcastle's flair was paying dividends as space opened up in the Zeljo half, and LuaLua should have done better with 20 minutes remaining when Viana sent him clear.

But with Dyer unmarked in front of goal, he tried to round the keeper and failed.

I thought we did a first-class professional job

Sir Bobby Robson

LuaLua made way for Shola Ameobi five minutes later, and the England Under-21 international almost left his mark on the game with two minutes remaining.

He turned smartly just outside the penalty area and fired in a left-foot drive which clipped the relieved Hagasic's crossbar.

However, by that point, the job had been done to allow Robson's side to return home with an away goal and more importantly, a first leg lead.

Zeljeznicar Sarajevo: Hasagic, Jahic (Alajic 72), Muharemovic, Mulalic, Alihodzic, Gredic, Karic, Seferovic, Mesic (Mudranic 83), Cosic, Guvo, Kruzik (Radonia 89).
Subs Not Used: Kruzik, Kajtaz, Silic, Zeric.
Booked: Mulalic, Gredic.

Newcastle: Given, Solano, Jenas, Dyer, Shearer, Hughes, Bramble, LuaLua (Ameobi 83), Dabizas, Bernard (Quinn 89), Viana (Elliott 89).
Subs Not Used: Harper, O'Brien, Griffin, Bassedas.
Booked: LuaLua, Dabizas.

Attendance: 35,000

Referee: L Michel (Slovakia).