NEWCASTLE manager Alan Shearer had no illusions about the seriousness of his team's predicament after they drew 0-0 with Portsmouth at St James' Park.

The Magpies climbed one place above Middlesbrough to third from bottom on goal difference, but are still three points from safety with four games to go.

Newcastle take on Liverpool at Anfield in their next match before successive home games against Middlesbrough and Fulham with a trip to Aston Villa on the final day.

However, Shearer knows his side must grind out a victory somewhere, and made no excuses for another failure.

He told Setanta Sports 1: "We need to get a win.

"Time is running out, we know it.

"We might get something at Anfield and then we have two home games we need to take six points from.

"I think it will go to the final game of the season.

But we need a win to kickstart a bit of momentum."

The former England striker bemoaned his side's inability to convert their chances, especially considering they had a three-pronged attack of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka.

"We are not relegated - we are far from it," he added.

"We are very disappointed not to have won the game - we created enough chances to have won the game.

"All three had very good chances - we didn't put them away and we paid the price.

"Confidence is a big thing in football, winning matches becomes a habit."

Shearer acknowledged their next game at Anfield is one of the most difficult they could face, saying: "It's a difficult game - they are still going for the title.

"It doesn't get any tougher, but we'll go and give it our best."