European hopefuls Fulham rocked Alan Shearer's mission to save Newcastle United from Premier League relegation with a 1-0 victory at St James' Park.
The former Magpies and England captain recorded his first win on Monday as Middlesbrough were defeated, but the high-octane Tyne-Tees derby was followed by a hammer blow as a Diomansy Kamara goal handed the Cottagers the points, while Sebastien Bassong was sent off.
Having arrived at the start of April, it appeared Shearer's bid to rescue his hometown club was doomed before the win over rivals Boro added a sense of survival hope.
But Roy Hodgson's visitors, whose hopes of finishing seventh were boosted, crushed the wave of optimism on the Gallowgate End with a smash-and-grab win on Tyneside.
Newcastle dominated the first half but were hit by a sucker punch in the 41st minute as, with the home defence screaming for offside, Erik Nevland broke to set up Kamara for a simple, close-range finish.
The Magpies continued to call the tune in the second half and Mark Viduka was denied an equaliser as referee Howard Webb spotted an obstruction on Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Kevin Nolan.
Things then got worse for Shearer's men when centre-back Bassong was shown a red card for hauling down Kamara when through on goal as Newcastle dropped back into the bottom three following Hull City's draw with Bolton.
Newcastle, who had soon to be out of contract skipper Michael Owen missing with a groin injury in what might have been his final game for the club, now face a trip to Aston Villa next Sunday knowing even victory might not be enough if other results go against them and with their Premier League status hanging by a thread.
Highlight:
Newcastle United V Fulham
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