Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness has lived to fight another day after his troubled side unconvincingly beat League Two side Cheltenham 2-0 in the day's opening FA Cup fourth-round tie.

Souness has been under mounting pressure after four defeats and a draw from their last five games have dropped Newcastle down to 14th in the Premiership.

A potential banana skin of an awkward trip to Cheltenham was the last thing he needed but, without ever impressing, his players came through for him.

After a limp performance for most of the first half Newcastle took control with two goals in three minutes just before halftime, though both were somewhat fortunate.

They went in front in the 41st minute when Cheltenham keeper Shane Higgs smothered at the feet of Celestine Babayaro only for the ball to loop up for Michael Chopra to head into an empty net.

The second goal was similarly unfortunate for the hosts. Jeremy Gill cleared a Peter Ramage cross straight against Scott Parker and watched in agony as it flew straight back past him into the net.

Cheltenham, who joined the Football League in 1999 and are sixth in League Two, made all the running after the break but failed to seriously test Newcastle keeper Shay Given.

They had a glorious chance in the 76th minute when striker Kayode Odejayi broke through some static defending, rounded Given but blazed over the empty goal.

It proved to be their best opportunity of the game and Newcastle survived comfortably to go into Monday's fifth-round draw.

The fourth round continues later today with Premiership champions Chelsea away to Everton, Cup holders Arsenal at Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United against Blackburn Rovers among the choice ties.