Craig Bellamy was the toast of Tyneside with the last-gasp winner that clinched Newcastle United's place in the second group stage of the Champions' League.

The Magpies' adventure in Europe's elite club competition looked to have evaporated in the cauldron of the De Kuip as they threw away a two-goal lead in six crazy second-half minutes.

United had forged ahead through Bellamy in first-half stoppage time and Hugo Viana four minutes into the second period.

But they succumbed to a fantastic Feyenoord fightback as their suspect defending reared its ugly head again when they least needed it.

Feyenoord substitute Mariano Bombarda slid the ball home in 65th minute after Bonaventure Kalou's low cross had eluded the United defence.

And Anthony Lurling levelled the score in the 71st minute when he volleyed in following a weak clearance from midfielder Kieron Dyer.

But Bellamy, who ten minutes from time had driven over when he was clean through, made amends just when it looked as though Sir Bobby Robson's men were going to have to console themselves with a UEFA Cup spot.

With Juventus en route to a 2-1 victory away to Dynamo Kiev, a place in the next phase of the Champions League was there for the taking.

Dyer brought a brilliant save from Patrick Lodewijks in the Feyenoord goal, but the ever-alert Bellamy followed up to squeeze the ball in at the near post after the keeper had failed in a desperate attempt to make a double save.

Nolberto Solano was a surprise casualty as Robson made room for the return of Bellamy to the Magpies' attack.

Solano had started all but two games this season, and played some part in every one.

But the Peruvian winger was dropped to the bench, with Bellamy making his comeback after more than three weeks out with a recurrence of knee trouble.

Jermaine Jenas was pushed from central midfield into Solano's right-flank berth, while Portuguese starlet Hugo Viana held his place on the opposite wing.

Former Nottingham Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, ruled out with a broken ankle, was the major absentee for Feyenoord, who were able to call on skipper Paul Bosvelt after his recovery from a calf injury.

Newcastle's Shay Given was given the nod over Steve Harper in goal after being forced to alternate with his rival and sit out the previous two Champions' League games against Juventus and Kiev.

Robson had been rotating his keepers because of Given's error-ridden display in the 5-2 defeat at Blackburn last month.

But, with less than a minute on the clock last night, the Republic of Ireland international almost made Robson rue his decision to show him favour.

Andy O'Brien's back pass looked comfortable enough for Given, but he mis-kicked horribly and the lurking Lurling should have done better as he dithered and allowed defenders to get goalside of him to avert the danger.

Bellamy surged into the penalty area and looked to be impeded by right-back Christian Gyan as he knocked the ball beyond keeper Patrick Lodewijks and wide of goal.

United maintained the pressure with Bellamy locating Viana, whose cross from the left was aimed for Speed, but Lodewijks emerged to punch the ball off the head of the Welshman.

Viana then forced his way through the home defence but his finish was always going well wide.

Feyenoord immediately carved out a great opening when Chong-gug Song swung the ball in from the right for Bosvelt, who squandered a clear chance as he lifted his shot too high.

Bellamy continued to cause the Feyenoord rearguard serious problems and when he burst through on his own in the 37th minute he was only foiled by the brave intervention of Lodewijks, who dived to save at the striker's feet.

But the Newcastle defence were caught napping a minute later when Thomas Buffel was able to home in on Given. The home frontman attempted to go round Given, but went too wide and when he finally got in a shot the keeper saved with his legs before Lurling saw his curling effort deflected wide of the far post.

But just before half-time United snatched the lead when Shearer nodded on a long ball and Bellamy sped down the left to the edge of six-yard box to fire in to the far corner from an acute angle.

The travelling Toon Army were in raptures when their side dramatically doubled their lead soon after the break. Dyer delightfully delayed his ball across goal from the right and Viana brought it under control to crack a delicious left-foot shot in off the far post.

Feyenoord substitute Mariano Bombarda was denied by a goalmouth clearance from Nicos Dabizas.

As the game ebbed and flowed Newcastle won a free kick and Shearer's fierce effort flew just over.

Result: Feyenoord 2 Newcastle United 3.

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