Courageous Newcastle defeat 'Boro

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer has hailed the 'courage' of his side in the wake of their 3-1 Tyne-Tees derby win over fellow strugglers Middlesbrough at St James' Park.

The Magpies climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone as Habib Beye's own goal was cancelled out by goals from Steven Taylor, and second-half substitutes Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands.

And after watching his players come from behind, Shearer admits he could not ask for any more from his players as they fight for their top-flight status.

"It is a magnificent feeling, it really is," said the former Newcastle and England striker, who recorded his first win since arriving as manager on a short-term basis at the start of April.

"I asked them (the players) to show courage, determination and to go and show me the ability that I know they have got."

"It would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves after going 1-0 down, but again I mention the word courage."

"They didn't let it affect them. They went on and still had the belief they could get something."

"There were some big, big performances out there from big men. I couldn't ask anymore from them."

Demoralising 'Boro manager Gareth Southgate three points accepts things are looking bleak, as his side is in the thick of the relegation zone.

"It's been a very difficult evening for us," he said after the derby setback at Newcastle.

"There is a lot of frustration and anguish in the dressing room because it's such an important game, the type of which many of my players have never experienced before, and to lose it in the manner we did is very difficult for all of us to take. "

"It's a tough evening for everyone connected with our football club. From the fantastic fans that travelled and made such a lot of noise, to the players who gave everything, but unfortunately key events on the evening have gone against us."

"I thought we were competitive throughout the game and there looked to be very little between the teams."