Jenas strikes as Magpies close gap on Red Devils

NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson saluted his defence after watching them fend off battling Bolton as the club worked behind the scenes to tempt Jonathan Woodgate to Tyneside.

A little more than 24 hours after Robson confirmed that United had lodged their interest in the Leeds defender, 23 yesterday, Nikos Dabizas and Steve Caldwell, with the help of full-backs Aaron Hughes and Olivier Bernard, kept out Sam Allardyce's raiders to help their side climb to within two points of second-placed Manchester United.

It was not vintage Newcastle, especially after the break, but the 69-year-old was delighted with the way his side ground out victory and kept a clean sheet, which means they have conceded just seven league goals in 13 appearances at St James' Park so far this season.