Champions League hopes fade

Shearer, who infamously failed from the spot at the same end in carbon-copy fashion against Thomas Sorensen in the defeat by Sunderland in November 2000 and draw with Aston Villa this season, opted to place his kick to the keeper's right this time.

But Paul Jones was equal to it and Shearer was once more in a state of despair as relegated Wolves claimed a proud point.

Newcastle must now win their last two games - at Southampton on Wednesday and Liverpool on Saturday - to overhaul the fourth-placed Reds, who are five points ahead.

But it's fanciful stuff and the reality is that the Geordies can only realistically hope for the succour of a UEFA Cup place next season.

Some suggest that European qualification is all that will assure Robson's future on Tyneside. To achieve it, Newcastle have to climb into fifth place above Aston Villa, who currently lead them by two points - and even that may require two victories depending on the outcome of the Villans' last-day duel with Manchester United.

Lee Bowyer, who Villa boss David O'Leary had under his wing at Leeds, threw Newcastle a Champions League lifeline with his first goal for the club - only for Wolves to snatch it away.

Bowyer, whose year on Tyneside has been blighted by injury and suspension, was told by Robson that he could still play a vital role in Newcastle's campaign - and how right he was.

Striker Shola Ameobi may have been profligate again in front of goal, but his perseverance and ingenuity were rewarded seven minutes before half-time when he turned provider for Bowyer.

Ameobi outfoxed Wolves winger Mark Kennedy to keep possession and deliver a probing ball to the near post where Bowyer let it come across him before steering home left-footed inside the six-yard box.

It was Bowyer's first goal for over 18 months since he struck in Leeds' 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough.

But after Wolves had levelled through substitute Ioan Viorel Ganea, Bowyer suffered the ignominy of being booked for diving in the box.

Romanian striker Ganea, a 65th-minute replacement for veteran right-back Denis Irwin as Wolves boss Dave Jones went for broke, equalised within five minutes of his introduction when he drove through a forest of legs after Kennedy's shot had been blocked by Titus Bramble.

Robson provoked a storm of booing from the home fans in the 80th minute when he replaced Laurent Robert with Hugo Viana, whose listless display had contributed to Thursday's shattering UEFA Cup semi-final defeat in Marseille.

And three minutes later, when Paul Jones denied Shearer from the spot after Wolves skipper Paul Ince had been penalised for a push on Gary Speed, the mood around the ground turned to one of utter dismay.

Viana had paid with his place after Robson relied on the fit-again Bowyer, while centre-back Steve Caldwell - recalled from his loan with relegated Leeds - stepped in for the suspended Andy O'Brien to make the Magpies' starting line-up for the first time since Villa's visit over six months ago.

Newcastle needed an early goal to help dispel the palpable anxiety and there was certainly no shortage of endeavour in that pursuit.

When Robert's left-wing corner drifted across goal, Darren Ambrose knocked the ball back in but Shearer's flicked header fell wide.

Wolves might be down, but they weren't going to lie down and their response was swift with Colin Cameron releasing Kennedy on the left.

The Republic of Ireland international whipped in a dangerous cross and Bramble was forced to hoist the ball over his own bar as Henri Camara lurked behind him.

Robert switched his line of attack to the right to fire wide of the near post before Ambrose embarked on a tenacious run down the same flank.

Having forced his way to the byline, he pulled the ball back for Speed, but a glorious chance was gone when the midfielder swept his finish into the sidenetting.

The spirited Ambrose then tried his luck, but the shot lacked the power to worry Jones, who had it covered as it travelled wide.

Former Sunderland centre-back Paul Butler came to Wolves rescue in the 21st minute when he beat Shearer to head clear from Speed's superb left-wing centre.

Robert then saw his low drive deflected off Cameron before Jones saved to his right.

There was a scare for United on the half hour when Shearer went down holding his left shoulder after being sandwiched by the unwelcome attentions of Isaac Okoronkwo and the reckless Cameron.

But Newcastle were relieved to see Shearer rise to his feet after treatment. The emotion was much the same when Shay Given dived to his right to deny Cameron three minutes later after the Scot had got away from Bowyer.

But no-one picked up Bowyer when he raced in to round off a cleverly constructed move and take the applause of an appreciative home crowd.

It would have been 2-0 in a further three minutes had Ameobi's blistering effort not come back off the near post before Kennedy cleared Shearer's follow-up from in front of goal.

Robert then brought another stop from Jones, who turned the ball around his near upright close to the interval.

Not for the first time, Newcastle resorted to route one to mount their first meaningful move after the break.

Shearer glanced on Given's long clearance and Ameobi held off Okoronkwo, but the England Under-21 international dragged his shot across goal and wide.

Speed headed wide from a Robert corner before former Middlesbrough captain Ince was booked for a wild challenge on Olivier Bernard.

Camara headed into the sidenetting from Kennedy's lob before another Sunderland old boy - midfielder Alex Rae - saw his free-kick strike Bramble and squirm wide with Given scrambling to reach it.

Ganea went close to a second goal in the 75th minute when Given hacked his shot away before saving Rae's follow-up.

And former Newcastle striker Carl Cort, sold to Wolves for £2m in January, turned his shot over as the visitors attacked with alarming ease.

Jones then foiled Robert, Bowyer and Ameobi before Shearer's penalty nightmare recurred.

But there was still time for Shearer to send a fierce dipping effort just over.

After that, Newcastle were forced to endure an uncomfortable and subdued lap of honour to mark the final home game of the season.

Result: Newcastle United 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

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