Zeljeznicar Sarajevo ... 0 Newcastle Utd ... 1 England midfielder Kieron Dyer fired Newcastle to within touching distance of the Champions League with a superbly taken goal in Sarajevo last night.

The 23-year-old played a 56th-minute one-two with Alan Shearer before lifting the ball over keeper Kenan Hagasic to give his side a precious lead to take back to Tyneside.

Lomana LuaLua and Jermaine Jenas both missed with first-half headers and substitute Shola Ameobi hit the bar two minutes from time with a left-foot piledriver, although it took a fine save from Shay Given to prevent Jure Guvo giving the home side a 46th-minute lead.

With teenagers Jenas and Hugo Viana holding their nerve under intense pressure and defender Titus Bramble forging a solid partnership with Nikos Dabizas, there was plenty to celebrate as a difficult tie became a little easier.

Almir Gredic had the ball in the net for the home side with three minutes gone, but was well offside as he ran on to Adin Muharemovic's through-ball.

LuaLua suffered no such inconvenience three minutes later as defender Aaron Hughes made good ground on the right to send in an inch-perfect cross.

The ball reached the striker unmarked at the far post, but he planted his header wide of Hasagic's right post.

LuaLua's pace was proving useful for Bobby Robson's side and it was he who played Dyer into space on the right with 53 minutes gone, but with Viana unmarked in he middle, he could only pick out the keeper.

However, Dyer redeemed himself three minutes later as United staged a lighting raid into enemy territory to devastating effect.

LuaLua once again broke from halfway and committed defenders before finding Dyer, who exchanged passes with Shearer before sending the small band of travelling supporters into raptures.

ZELJEZNICAR SARAJEVO: Hasagic, Jahic (Alajic 72), Muharemovic, Mulalic, Alihodzic, Gredic, Karic, Seferovic, Mesic (Mudranic 83), Cosic, Guvo, Kruzik (Radonia 89). Subs Not Used: Kruzik, Kajtaz, Silic, Zeric. Booked: Mulalic, Gredic.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Solano, Jenas, Dyer, Shearer, Hughes, Bramble, LuaLua (Ameobi 83), Dabizas, Bernard (Quinn 89), Viana (Elliott 89). Subs Not Used: Harper, O'Brien, Griffin, Bassedas. Booked: LuaLua, Dabizas. Goals: Dyer 56.

Referee: L Michel (Slovakia).