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Ameobi saves Newcastle's blushes

Scunthorpe United 1 Newcastle United 2 (aet)

Jason Mellor
Friday 26 August 2011 00:00 BST
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Alan Pardew described Sammy Ameobi as a "different kind" of forward to his older brother Shola. More uncharitable observers might suggest that's because the teenager has actually made his way onto the scoresheet this season, in the process settling a stirring tie to ensure Newcastle take their place in Saturday's third-round draw.

When Ameobi junior scored in pre-season at Darlington, it was marked by a mass pitch invasion. Fortunately, there was no repeat from visiting supporters after the 19-year-old found the top corner after a neat turn and purposeful run to cap a come-from-behind victory with his first senior goal eight minutes from the end of extra-time.

"I've been saying since pre-season that he can threaten the first team," manager Pardew said afterwards. "Sammy is a player with great potential, and I'm sure his brother will help keep his feet on the ground."

An indication of the part played by the hosts in a memorable encounter was that Tim Krul, the Newcastle goalkeeper, had been his side's most influential player until Ameobi came off the bench in the second-half. "Hopefully I've given the boss a little nudge and shown him what I can do," he said. "I wanted to take my chance and I think I have."

Scunthorpe failed to make the most of their first-half hegemony, having just Chris Dagnall's 14th-minute close-range effort to show for their dominance.

Krul's fine work was rewarded when, with 10 minutes remaining, Ryan Taylor curled home his second sublime free-kick in five days to force extra-time, the stand-in full-back sending out a defiant message to Erik Pieters, the PSV Eindhoven left-back who is set to sign in the next 48 hours in a £6.5m deal.

For Scunthorpe, there is precious little time to lick their wounds, as they return to League One action at Sheffield Wednesday less than 48 hours after an energy sapping defeat. "It was a tough way to go out, but I'm proud of the lads," manager Alan Knill said. "We competed well and dominated at times but we're disappointed with the goals we gave away."

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2): Lillis; Wright, Nelson, Canavan, Nolan; Togwell, Ryan, Norwood, Barcham; Dagnall (Duffy, 88), Grant (Thompson, 77). Substitutes not used Slocombe (gk), Collins, Wint, Palmer, Thewlis.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul: Simpson, Williamson (S Taylor, h-t), Coloccini, R Taylor; Lovenkrands, Cabaye, Gosling (Vuckic, 70), Marveaux; Best, Ba (Sam Ameobi, 65). Substitutes not used Soderberg (gk), Abeid, Smith, Ferguson.

Referee G Salisbury (Lancashire).

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