Newcastle manager Alan Pardew fears his side may be sucked into a relegation battle after a 4-0 defeat at Stoke left them four points above the drop zone.

The Magpies have now won only once in their last nine league games.

"We've been conscious we've never been far from the relegation zone," said Pardew, who has managed only four wins from 14 games since he took over.

"The scoreline is going to put some pressure on us in terms of our next home game."

The former West Ham, Reading and Charlton manager, who took charge at St James' Park in December, added: "It is one of those days you would like to forget as a manager.

"But I think we have enough in the dressing room and enough quality to win the next game and give ourselves some breathing space."

Newcastle fell behind to a Jon Walters header in the first half and they were two down one minute after the breakwhen an error by goalkeeper Steve Harper led to a goal from Jermaine Pennant.

Danny Higginbotham's fiercely hit free-kick and a stoppage-time striker by Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke victory by a comfortable margin.

"I am obviously disappointed with the scoreline. I thought at half-time we were unlucky to be 1-0 down as we controlled much of the tempo," added Pardew.

"But the first five minutes of the second half cost us the game. Even before Harper made an error we should have got rid of the ball.

"We conceded a second and from that moment on we had a mountain to climb. Again with the third goal we put the ball at risk, although I don't think it was a free-kick."

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