Queudrue off as Magpies claim derby win

Shola Ameobi's second goal of the season set up the win for United and a record for Sir Bobby Robson, who became the first manager in the Magpies' history to register five North-East derby victories in a row.

But Mr Barber unfortunately stole the show with an inept performance. Shearer's 39th-minute effort was mysteriously ruled out when he fired in from close range after Ameobi had got in front of Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu to touch the ball on from Olivier Bernard's left-wing cross.

The Hertfordshire official also provoked fury in the home ranks as he booked Shearer in the 62nd minute for protesting that he should have won a corner when the ball skimmed off the back of Boro right-back Stuart Parnaby.

But Boro boss Steve McClaren arguably had even greater right to feel aggrieved.

England's former assistant coach couldn't argue with the last-minute sending-off of Franck Queudrue for a second bookable offence - a foul on Andy Griffin which resulted in the Frenchman's second dismissal in successive games.

But McClaren's reaction was understandable as he leapt from the dug-out in a rage when Mr Barber failed to award his side a penalty after Aaron Hughes had hauled down Massimo Maccarone.

And Boro were denied another first-half spot-kick when Steve Caldwell laid hands on Ugo Ehiogu.

The Teessiders were also out of luck after the break as Maccarone hit a post with a ferocious strike.

But they were finally beaten when stand-in centre-back Caldwell forced home three minutes from time after Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer dropped substitute Hugo Viana's right-wing corner.

The suspension of Nikos Dabizas and absence of Titus Bramble with a hamstring injury meant a first start for Caldwell since March last year, when Boro were 2-1 victors here under the stewardship of Terry Venables and Bryan Robson.

Hughes was switched to fill the Magpies' other central defensive berth, with Bernard taking over at left-back from the Northern Ireland international.

The only change for Boro saw Szilard Nemeth step in for virus victim Alen Boksic in attack.

After Newcastle's Gary Speed had just failed to reach a penetrating free-kick from Laurent Robert, Nemeth forced the first corner of the game when his attempted cross struck Caldwell.

But frontman Ameobi's defensive header cleared the danger from Queudrue's in-swinging flag-kick.

Both sides displayed admirable endeavour and enterprise in an entertaining opening period and Boro were grateful to Schwarzer in the eighth minute.

Nolberto Solano centred at the second attempt after his initial effort had been headed back to him by Boro skipper Gareth Southgate.

And when the ball reached the far post, Robert met it first time, forcing Schwarzer to save with his foot before Jermaine Jenas lifted the loose ball narrowly over after Newcastle only partially cleared.

Moments later, Geremi drove wide for Boro from around 25 yards as the Teessiders launched a concerted effort to draw first blood.

Jonathan Greening crossed from the left and Maccarone pulled away from Bernard at the back post to connect with a header which was nodded out by Hughes from in front of goal.

Geremi had certainly found his range and this time brought a parry from keeper Shay Given as the home rearguard stood off the Cameroon star.

But Newcastle edged ahead against the run of play when Speed advanced from halfway to whip in a left-wing cross which found Ameobi.

The England Under-21 international tried to flick the ball to the lurking Solano, but it got caught between his feet and broke kindly to give him enough room to evade Southgate and fire home and angled left-foot shot.

Boro, however, came straight back at United and after Andy Griffin was booked for scything down Greening, Joseph Job should have made more of a shooting opportunity when he drove at Given.

Queudrue then delivered a deep ball to Maccarone, who beat the offside trap only to drag his finish wide of the far upright.

Geremi was proving a thorn in United's side and for a third time threatened with a drive that was wide of the diving Given.

Like his compatriot, Job caused United problems, but his finishing failed to match his movement, as was illustrated again when he fired straight into Given's hands after Bernard's horrendous square ball to Maccarone had created havoc in the home defence.

Robert volleyed into the side-netting on the end of a Jenas centre before Ehiogu marked his 30th birthday with a booking for a clumsy challenge on Shearer.

The United skipper scarcely protested when his effort was chalked off soon afterwards, but replays showed there was little, if anything, wrong with it.

Boro, however, were cursing their luck again ten minutes into the second half when Maccarone smacked a right-footed 20-yarder against the base of Given's left-hand post.

George Boateng made Given stretch to save after United failed to clear from a free-kick.

And there was uproar at the other end when Shearer was cautioned for what looked a perfectly valid complaint.

Robson made a double switch in the 71st minute, bringing on Kieron Dyer for Solano and Hugo Viana for the frustrating Robert, who showed his obvious disgust by ignoring the United bench and walking straight down the tunnel.

At the same time, McClaren introduced Carlos Marinelli in place of Nemeth.

But it was Portuguese starlet Viana who made an immediate impact, curling the ball just over from a free-kick routine.

Hughes then blocked an Ehiogu header, before Queudrue picked up his first yellow card in the 80th minute for a foul on Ameobi.

Schwarzer kept Boro in the hunt when he pushed Shearer's header from Viana's corner on to a post, then made a double save from the substitute and Jenas in a dramatic finale.