There was sadness amid the pleasure for Bobby Robson last night. Victory may have strengthened the push his Newcastle side are making for a Champions League place but it deepened the misery at Ipswich, where the corridors are covered with reminders of the success he brought to Portman Road.

Robson's hair is darker and his smile more youthful in the newspaper cuttings which adorn the walls here from his 13 years in charge. But the managerial talent and enthusiasm have not altered. Thanks to Nolberto Solano's goal Newcastle remain fourth in the Premiership and won in the south of England for the first time in 36 matches.

They did not give a sparkling display against increasingly desperate, confidence-sapped opponents. Yet the speed of Craig Bellamy up front, the resolve of Nikos Dabizas and Andy O'Brien in defence, and a couple of good saves by Shay Given helped them triumph. A successful day was capped by the return as substitute of Kieron Dyer.

"I just pray they get the points," Robson said of Ipswich. "I'm sure they will." He said as much afterwards to George Burley, once a player under him here, but the signs are not promising. Ipswich are four points adrift at the bottom and have gone 14 league games without a win.

"What they're lacking is that marksman," Robson said. "Maybe they had one in (Marcus) Stewart. That's the only slight weakness." That was kind. Ipswich's lack of belief in front of goal was plain and no one seemed willing to take responsibility.

IPSWICH: Sereni, Makin, McGreal, Venus, Hreidarsson, George (Peralta 67), Holland, Wright (Naylor 84), Clapham, Armstrong (Counago 67), Marcus Bent. Subs Not Used: Branagan, Magilton. Booked: McGreal, Counago, Hreidarsson.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Dabizas, Elliott, Solano (Dyer 81), Lee, Speed, Robert (Bernard 59), Shearer, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Distin. Booked: Robert. Goal: Solano 20.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).