ALAN SHEARER just can't get enough of Leeds.

The Newcastle skipper has scored more Premiership goals against the men from Elland Road than any other club - his fourth-minute strike at St. James' Park last night was the 20th, and his 12th for the Magpies.

It was also his fourth in his last three games against Leeds, his first in five matches - a famine by Shearer's standards - and his 17th in all competitions this season.

Shearer, who opened the scoring with a penalty at Leeds in the first game of the season and salvaged a point in a 2-2 draw, was quick off the mark last night.

Aaron Hughes fed the ball into Kieron Dyer, who released Nolberto Solano with a neat flick.

The Peruvian then laid the ball outside to Shearer, who unleashed a fierce angled right-foot drive from just inside the area into the far corner of Paul Robinson's goal.

As they frantically sought a way back into the game after the break, Leeds introduced Newcastle target Michael Bridges and the former Sunderland striker had an immediate impact, twice being denied a shot on goal by centre-back Titus Bramble.

But Newcastle, chasing a Champions League spot, held on to claim a victory which sees them climb two places to sixth, level on points with Liverpool and two behind fourth-placed Charlton.

Newcastle had reason to be cheerful before a ball was kicked after learning they wouldn't be facing Alan Smith.

With Leeds electing not to appeal against the two-match FA ban imposed on Smith on Tuesday, caretaker boss Eddie Gray decided it would be prudent for the fiery striker to start the suspension immediately, rather than later this month. That might be bad news for Middlesbrough, who visit Elland Road in just over three weeks, but Newcastle weren't complaining after suffering at Smith's hands too often in recent seasons.

The England international, suspended for throwing a plastic bottle into the home crowd when Leeds hosted Manchester United in the Carling Cup in October, has scored in three of his last four meetings with Newcastle.

It's no wonder that, in the ideal world, Sir Bobby Robson would love to have him in his ranks.

For now, however, Robson is relying on midfielder Dyer to shoulder the burden in attack alongside Shearer, while Craig Bellamy and Shola Ameobi recover from injuries.

Dyer, having played no small part in Shearer's opener, was soon unsettling the Leeds rearguard with his blistering turn of pace.

Laurent Robert, whose mother had journeyed from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean to see him in action, shook off the attentions of Gary Kelly to play Dyer in behind the defence.

But the England star, whose last two Premiership goals came at Leeds 11 months ago, failed to capitalise when he screwed his finish wide of the near post from close range.

Jermaine Jenas, desperate to end his eight-month goal drought, spotted an opening in the 20th minute, but his edge-of-area drive was met with a magnificent one-handed save by Robinson.

Newcastle old boy David Batty was afforded a generous round of applause from the home fans when his injury jinx struck again and he was forced off on the half-hour.

No sooner had Salomon Olembe taken his place than Newcastle were back on the attack, with Dyer once more leading the charge.

An alert Robinson raced from his goal to intercept Dyer's run and the Magpies' man, along with Shearer, complained furiously to referee Phil Dowd that he had been fouled on the edge of the 18-yard line.

But Newcastle should have been cruising by half-time after both Shearer and Dyer scorned glorious chances. Jenas set up Shearer in the 42nd minute after a surging run and subtle pass, but his captain steered his shot wide with only Robinson to beat.

Then Dyer found himself in the clear again, but lifted his finish wide of the same post after Robinson had committed himself.

Newcastle were almost caught napping shortly after the break when Mark Viduka beat Bramble all too easily on the right to find skipper Dominic Matteo, who slashed wildly wide.

Solano then fired across goal for Newcastle before Dyer delivered a ball from the same flank which just eluded the sliding Robert in the middle.

Viduka threatened again when James Milner swung the ball over from the left and the Aussie striker's downward header was gathered by keeper Shay Given at the second attempt.

But Newcastle came close to increasing their lead in the 62nd minute when Gary Speed, up against his old club, hit the angle of post and bar with a bullet header on the end of Robert's right-wing corner.

Speed then made a timely goalmouth intervention at the other end when he diverted Viduka's shot wide. Leeds kept pressing and Newcastle were relieved to see Michael Duberry's shot charged down by Hughes after the home side had failed to clear a corner.

But when Newcastle responded, Leeds were similarly defiant as Speed's header and Solano's shot were blocked in quick succession following Robert's flag-kick.

After Bridges had given his boyhood favourites a double scare, Hugo Viana - a replacement for Robert ten minutes from time - forced a full-length fingertip save from Robinson.

Result: Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 0.

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