Newcastle and Peterborough proved the FA Cup has lost none of its magic as they served up a feast of football at London Road with the Premiership side progressing 4-2. The Magpies enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the interval and looked to be coasting into the fifth round of the competition until Andy O'Brien's own goal four minutes into the second-half signalled a surprise fightback from the Second Division side.
David Farrell's equaliser almost brought the stands down as the home side could sniff a giantkilling but it wasn't to be as Posh conceded a penalty in the 84th minute, which Alan Shearer blasted home, and Newcastle made sure of their win a minute later through Aaron Hughes.
Although Newcastle got off to the best possible of starts, they were given a real scare by the Second Division club as they fought back to level the score and then threatened to take the lead before falling at the final hurdle. It took a little bit of fortune (or misfortune depending on your point of view) to take the jitters out of Newcastle's game and once the Magpies had regained that lead, there was no doubt they would make it into round five.
O'Brien opened the scoring at the right end when he put Newcastle ahead on 13 minutes, slotting home from close range after a corner. However, Peterborough threatened to equalise with Tom Williams and Jimmy Bullard both going close before Newcastle grabbed their second of the afternoon. A loose ball fell to Jamie McClen - in for the injured Kieron Dyer - and he coolly fired past Mark Tyler in the goalmouth.
Posh would have felt unlucky to find themselves 2-0 down at the interval but all that changed just four minutes after the re-start when O'Brien connected perfectly with a cross from Marc Joseph to head the ball into his own net. A short time later, Peterborough launched a counter-attack and Farrell raced up the sideline before slipping infield and releasing a curling shot with his left foot that took a slight deflection off Distin on its way into the back of the net.
Posh were all over Newcastle now and Given saved Newcastle's blushes when he made an excellent save when one-on-one with Neale Fenn. Posh almost conceded an own goal of their own but somehow Tyler saved. However, there was nothing he could do when Leon McKenzie handled in the area and conceded a penalty. Shearer made no mistake with the resulting penalty and the travelling supporters heaved a collective sigh of relief when Hughes made it 4-0 a mere 60 seconds later.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
