Alan Shearer refused to give up on Newcastle's hopes of Premier League survival after a 1-0 defeat by Fulham threw the side back into the drop-zone.

The Magpies now travel to Aston Villa needing at least a point with the hope that Hull lose at home to champions Manchester United.

"It is going to the last fixture of the season and we have to get a better result than Hull," said boss Shearer.

"But I'm sure there will be one or two twists and turns on the final day."

The Magpies were markedly different from the team that swept aside Middlesbrough 3-1 in their last game.

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That hungry performance lifted them out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Newcastle failed to take that momentum into the game against Roy Hodgson's men and were made to pay for their sloppy play by Diomansy Kamara, who struck four minutes before half-time.

The hosts pressed for an equaliser after the break and went close when Mark Viduka's header was cleared off the line before the Australian striker found the net only for referee Howard Webb to disallow the header because he deemed Kevin Nolan to have impeded keeper Mark Schwarzer.

The decision frustrated Shearer who believed that critical analysis over Steven Taylor's goal against Middlesbrough may have led to greater scrutiny of his side's actions during set-pieces.

Reports of the match suggested Nolan had blocked Boro defender Matthew Bates as Taylor headed in.

"Taylor's goal has been highlighted all week," said the former Magpies striker.

"There is no law saying you can't have a player standing in front of a goalkeeper. It was a poor decision by the referee."

However, Shearer said that the red card for Sebastien Bassong for a trip on Kamara was "probably right".

"After the sending off we gave it a right good go," he added.

"My emotions were up and down and I was not enjoying it for the last half hour. We thew everything at them."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson stated that his side were fortunate to come away from St James' Park with a win.

"Newcastle were determined to win the game and we were lucky to be 1-0 up at half-time," said Hodgson.

"They did everything to get an equaliser. Our keeper made a couple of good saves and we relied on goalline clearances.

Hodgson, who helped the Cottagers escape relegation last season, added: "I have great sympathy for Newcastle. I still think they can get out it."

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