Newcastle manager Alan Shearer has hailed the "courage" of his side in the wake of their 3-1 derby victory over fellow strugglers Middlesbrough at St James's Park, but Gareth Southgate felt his Middlesbrough side did not get what it deserved.

The Magpies climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone after Habib Beye's own goal was cancelled out by strikes from Steven Taylor, and second-half substitutes Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands.

And after watching his players battle for three points, Shearer admits he could not ask for any more from his side as they fight for their top-flight status.

"It is a magnificent feeling, it really is," said the former Magpies striker, who recorded his first win since arriving as manager on a short-term basis at the start of April.

"I asked them (the players) to show courage, determination and to go and show me the ability that I know they have got.

"It would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves after going 1-0 down, but again I mention the word courage.

"They didn't let it affect them. They went on and still had the belief they could get something.

"There were some big, big performances out there from big men. I couldn't ask anymore from them."

The demoralising defeat leaves Boro three points adrift of safety with just two games remaining.

Southgate accepts things are looking bleak, but feels his team are not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

"It's been a very difficult evening for us," he said after the game. "There is a lot of frustration and anguish in the dressing room because it's such an important game, the type of which many of my players have never experienced before, and to lose it in the manner we did is very difficult for all of us to take.

"It's a tough evening for everyone connected with our football club. From the fantastic fans that travelled and made such a lot of noise, to the players who gave everything, but unfortunately key events on the evening have gone against us.

"I thought we were competitive throughout the game and there looked to be very little between the teams.

"Realistically, though, the second goal, which changes things, the ball bounces perfectly for them and they were able to take that chance."