Shearer spot on for Magpies
The visitors took the lead two minutes after half-time when Maksim Shatskikh took advantage of a dubious decision to shoot past Steve Harper, but Gary Speed's 58th-minute equaliser set the stage for Shearer to win it from the spot 10 minutes later after he was fouled by Andrii Husin.
United were enjoying plenty of possession if creating few openings early on, but Aaron Hughes' neat pass allowed Jermaine Jenas to take aim from 25 yards on 11 minutes, although he dragged his effort wide.