ANDY GRIFFIN was the unlikely hero who on Wednesday night dramatically re-ignited Newcastle United's Champions' League challenge as Tyneside celebrated another unforgettable night of European football.

It was a victory which evoked memories of the Magpies' famous 3-2 eclipse of Barcelona here when United were last in the competition five years ago.

This time, without a point or a goal from their previous three Group E outings and bottom of their section, United were staring virtual elimination in the face until right-back Griffin grabbed only his second goal for the club to throw them a lifeline.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon did his best to foil Sir Bobby Robson's men with a string of magnificent saves.

But he had to take the blame when Griffin's shot eluded him in the 62nd minute. United skipper Alan Shearer won a free-kick deep on the right and when Laurent Robert played it short to Griffin, he gathered the ball in his stride before hitting across goal.

Buffon should have dealt with the danger, but as he dived to meet ball, he only succeeded in diverting it in with his right hand.

But few would begrudge Griffin for claiming his first United goal since the 4-2 home win over Arsenal three seasons ago.

Newcastle's lead, however, was only preserved by the woodwork seven minutes from time when Juve substitute Marcelo Zalayeta crashed a shot against the bar.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given was a surprise casualty as Robson handed understudy Steve Harper his 50th senior appearance for the club and first in almost 11 months since the 4-1 Worthington Cup victory here over Ipswich.

Republic of Ireland World Cup star Given paid the price for his error-ridden display in United's 5-2 defeat at Blackburn on Saturday.

Kieron Dyer, who won rave reviews from Juve skipper Alessandro Del Piero when the sides met in Turin three weeks ago, failed to shake off the back injury which had precluded his involvement in England's Euro 2004 qualifier with Macedonia and United's Ewood Park debacle.

With striker Craig Bellamy and centre-back Nikos Dabizas both under UEFA suspensions, Lomana LuaLua and Titus Bramble were called up as United faced the ultimate test of their resolve to prolong their European adventures.

Juve boss Marcello Lippi's starting line-up showed four changes to the one which faced United first time around, with defender Paolo Montero the most notable absentee after undergoing a knee operation.

As former European champions, Juve's ambition is to reclaim their crown, but Shearer declared before the game: "You would be a mug not to take Real Madrid for the Champions' League.''

Shearer's determination to give the Italian title holders a run for their money was clear for all to see as early as the second minute.

Shearer was jockeying for position in the middle with LuaLua as Laurent Robert whipped in a low centre from the left, but the ball eluded both strikers as it flashed across goal.

Newcastle soon received a sharp reminder of Juve's menace on the counter attack when Marco Di Vaio, recovered from the worrying clash of heads with Andy O'Brien which cut short his game in Turin, showed Griffin a clean pair of heels.

Harper, however, was alive to the danger and emerged from his line to narrow the angle as Di Vaio pushed his effort wide of the far post.

Buffon did well to withstand the challenge of LuaLua and punch clear Robert's teasing cross.

But Harper looked a lot less assured in the 23rd minute when he directed O'Brien's back-pass straight to Pavel Nedved, who luckily for United sent his first-time shot wide of a near-open goal, with Bramble's presence seemingly just enough to put him off.

United then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure, with LuaLua and Nolberto Solano both threatening twice, and Shearer wasting a great headed opportunity.

LuaLua evaded the challenge of Dutch international Edgar Davids before twisting and turning as he homed in on goal, only to produce a timid finish which failed to trouble Buffon.

When Juve quickly broke again, Harper had to race from goal to save at the feet of the onrushing Di Vaio.

But United were desperately close to scoring in the 29th minute when LuaLua beat two defenders on the left before seeing his fierce cross-shot deflected over by Mark Iuliano.

From the resultant right-wing corner, Solano found Shearer, who nodded over unchallenged from the heart of the penalty area.

Solano himself then curled a long-range drive wide after being set up by LuaLua, before United won another flag-kick on the right.

This time, Robert's in-swinger was only partially cleared but Solano's volley drifted away from Buffon's left-hand upright.

A foul by Robert on Del Piero 25 yards out then gave the Italian superstar a chance to reprise the free-kick he scored in the sides' initial encounter.

But his effort was too high and minutes later he got underneath his shot again as he attempted to capitalise on hesitant United defending.

The best chance of the half, however, fell to Robert just before the interval. Solano conjured a superb cross from the right which Gary Speed cleverly headed back to the unmarked Robert.

The Frenchman should have at least got his shot on target, but with Buffon completely at his mercy, he blazed wide of the far post, much to Robson's obvious frustration.

Juve almost snatched the lead moments later when O'Brien's sliding challenge diverted Nedved's effort just over the bar.

But ten minutes into the second half, United saw another glorious chance go begging when LuaLua swung over a telling right-wing centre for Solano, whose near-post shot was blocked at point-blank range by Buffon.

The Italy keeper then excelled himself with a terrific one-handed save from Shearer at a free-kick before Lilian Thuram scrambled the ball away to deny Aaron Hughes a follow-up attempt.

Buffon may have been at fault when Griffin forced the breakthrough, but he produced another stunning stop three minutes later when Solano popped up on the left to hammer a diagonal shot which looked a goal all the way until the keeper stuck out his left hand.

To United's eternal relief, Juve substitute Gianluca Zambrotta fired over in the 77th minute, and three minutes later Harper smothered a Del Piero effort after Zalayeta had made the most of a slip by Bramble.