Harper the hero stops the rot for Magpies

NEWCASTLE manager Glenn Roeder had Steve Harper to thank after the goalkeeper’s penalty shoot-out save booked his side a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Watford’s expense.

The result was the break the former Hornets player and manager had been hoping for following a dismal run of results in the Premiership that had put him under immense pressure.

Antoine Sibierski headed Newcastle ahead in the third minute but Damien Francis levelled the scores midway through the second half.

A Dan Shittu header in extra-time gave the Hornets the advantage before Scott Parker set up a shoot-out, and Harper saved from Jordan Stewart to seal a sudden-death victory.

Matthew Spring up-ended Emre and the Turkish midfielder’s resultant free-kick was met by Sibierski’s shaven head to give the Magpies the perfect start.

Sibierski might have had another before the quarter-hour mark when Stephen Carr’s header from the back sent him cantering away but goalkeeper Richard Lee came out at pace to make a crucial block.

Newcastle almost caught out their hosts in the 57th minute. Young almost provided an equaliser in bizarre fashion in the 63rd minute when his free-kick from the left eluded everyone in the box and had to be tipped wide by Harper.

Six minutes later the Newcastle back line was finally breached as Young’s free-kick was flicked on by Spring and Francis was able to slide in and prod home from unmissable range.

The final period of extra-time saw Watford convert another set-piece, again expertly delivered by Young, to take the lead in the 108th minute.

This time it was Shittu who met it, getting away from Steven Taylor to power an unstoppable header past Harper.

Roeder threw on Charles N’Zogbia for Sibierski and with three minutes remaining Parker popped up with the equaliser, calmly slipping the ball past Lee with a deft finish after Nolberto Solano had put him through.

The tie was to be decided on penalties, therefore, and it was Stewart who was the unlucky man for Watford as he failed to beat Harper at the sudden death stage.

WATFORD: Lee, Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart, Young, Francis, Spring, Bouazza, Henderson, Priskin (Bangura 73). NEWCASTLE: Harper, Carr, Ramage, Taylor, Babayaro, Milner, Emre, Parker, Duff, Sibierski (N’Zogbia 114), Rossi (Solano 100). REFEREE: L Mason.