Hull City 0 Newcastle 0:WHEN FOOTBALLERS on long-term, highly-lucrative contracts persuade their representatives to reveal that they are "despondent" and "considering options", fans invariably brand them "greedy" and "selfish". They do things differently on Planet Toon.

Shay Given's desire to leave Newcastle has been greeted by an outpouring of sympathy and understanding from supporters who will feel heartbroken but not betrayed when, as is surely inevitable, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper departs.

The Toon Army share Given's deep disillusion about a string of broken boardroom promises down the years and duly applauded him off the team bus and on to the pitch.

Then, cheering his every touch, those hardcore loyalists who comprise Newcastle's away support watched him keep manager Joe Kinnear's side in the FA Cup courtesy of some typically stellar saves from Daniel Cousin (twice) and Geovanni.

Although Kinnear insists he is staying, Newcastle's manager is, in reality, a cipher, lacking any real clout, and it seems Given will soon be gone, most probably to either Manchester City or Tottenham.

"Shay Given is massively, massively important to Newcastle," said Hull's manager Phil Brown.

"He's a big, big player for them. Those big players are the ones you want to try and hang on to - but that's Newcastle's problem."

Brown's own first-choice goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill, was one of six key players rested for a tie Brown was surely ambivalent about winning at a time when Hull's Premier League form is a cause for concern.

"The replay's a distraction," he said. "But there might be an opportunity for a few of our young players to get a bit of experience at St James' Park."

Michael Owen spurned two excellent opportunities to win the game for the visitors but Hull thought they had scored from a Michael Turner header in the second half. Turner's effort rebounded onto the post and bar off Damien Duff and Given smothered it as it bounced down, with referee Chris Foy ruling it had not crossed the line.

It was an obvious talking point from the game but Newcastle assistant manager Chris Hughton felt the decision was correct and Hull boss Phil Brown did not complain. He said: "You can go on about goalline technology but it is inconclusive and impossible for the linesman to give that. Shay does look like he has stepped over the line to save the ball."

Hughton said: "I have seen it again, and as per normal you look at the reactions of players. Their players are always going to see it going over the line and ours could see it for what is was, hit the crossbar, went into Shay Given's hands and certainly not over the line."

Some Newcastle fans wondered whether Kinnear, who did not attend the media debrief, would give Steve Harper, his extremely able reserve goalkeeper, a game; though, considering Harper is out of contract in June and has refused to sign a new agreement, his future appears as uncertain as Given's.

He is unlikely to feel loved in the wake of this latest snub. Asked if Harper was miffed, Hughton said: "No, it was business as normal. Shay's played all season and today was no different.

"Shay responded exactly how we expected. He's a top-quality keeper and individual. We very much take it for granted that he'll make those top saves."

Hughton felt Newcastle were unfortunate not to have snatched victory. He said: "I think given the fact that we are the away side coming here, probably we edged it, certainly on goalscoring chances.

"We are probably the ones slightly more aggrieved we didn't come away with the win, but they are a very good side and showed they have a good squad.

"It was a typical cup tie and became very open in the second half and could have gone either way."

Unfortunately, Newcastle have been assuming for far too long that Given will always be around to bail them out.