FA Cup / Cheltenham 0-2 Newcastle United: When Freddy Shepherd spoke with Brian Barwick in the directors' box moments before kick-off it was difficult not to think mischievously.

Was the Newcastle chairman sounding out Sven-Goran Eriksson's credentials or perhaps seeking advice on how best to get rid of a manager? The Football Association's chief executive is well qualified to offer opinions on both, but, for the moment at least, Graeme Souness's position appears safe.

You could not say the same about Newcastle's hapless rearguard, particularly the calamitous partnership of Jean-Alain Boumsong and Titus Bramble, whose comedy-book defending Laurel and Hardy would struggle to better.

"Shaky at times" was Souness's assessment of their display; dreadful throughout would have been more accurate. Fortunately, though, the Newcastle manager was able to call on a more trusted member of his under-achieving squad to ensure he slept easy.

Scott Parker had done anything but that the night before this match, kept up until 4am with a stomach bug, hardly the preparation he would have wished for after returning early from a cartilage operation. However, a first-half goal - his first for the club - and a place in the fifth round proved a useful tonic.

"I just wanted to try and get back, not only for the manager but for my team-mates," said Parker. "That's the sort of player I am." How Souness could do with a few more of those. He claimed "my players are 100 per cent behind me" though there was scant evidence Newcastle are in the throes of recovery.

Shane Higgs, the Cheltenham goalkeeper, was rarely troubled and had Kayode Odejayi not shot horribly wide of an open goal with 15 minutes remaining a nervy finale would have ensued.

Souness spoke of his "relief" afterwards but refuted the suggestion he must be perpetually gripped with a sense of foreboding. "The only fear I have is about anything happening to my family," he said. "My bloody daughter wrote her car off in Hampshire on Thursday night. Fortunately she's all right but it puts things in perspective."

As does this performance. Cheltenham of League Two are 60 places below Newcastle, though they were the better side for long periods. Even with a two-goal lead Newcastle struggled to assert any control on the match and only the absence of a cutting edge prevented Cheltenham from gaining reward. Steve Guinan's speared effort and Odejayi's gilt-edged chance were as close as the home side came to a breakthrough.

Odejayi claimed the ball bobbled as he prepared to shoot, but Newcastle could have no excuse for their impotence in front of goal. Alan Shearer, searching for the one goal he needs to surpass Jackie Milburn's all-time scoring record, endured a miserable afternoon. A near-post header from Nolberto Solano's cross was his only effort on target. Yet that was more than Shola Ameobi could manage.

And so it was left to Michael Chopra, Newcastle's youngest player, to lift the gloom. The 22-year-old headed in his second senior goal for the club after Higgs could only take the pace off Celestine Babayaro's shot. Two minutes later the lead was doubled when Jerry Gill's attempted clearance cruelly cannoned off Parker and into the Cheltenham net.

Not that Newcastle could sit comfortably, with Boumsong continually flummoxed by Odejayi's ability to knock the ball past him and run. "He will prove to be one of the best central defenders in the World Cup this year," said Souness. Maybe the pressure is getting to him after all.- Guardian Service