Late Duff strike sinks Spurs

The Republic of Ireland midfielder snatched victory in the 90th minute after combining brilliantly with fellow substitute Mark Viduka just as it looked as if his side would have to settle for a third successive home draw.

It was hard luck on Spurs, who had played their part in a tight contest and had looked the more likely winners until Duff's late intervention.

The win came as a huge relief to Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear, who had seen his side concede late goals to draw with both Wigan and Stoke in the previous two home games.

Luka Modric, a Newcastle target before he opted to move to White Hart Lane, looked to have denied the Magpies with a 28th-minute equaliser with the home side appealing in vain for an offside flag.

Michael Dawson's challenge on Shola Ameobi sent the ball over the top to Modric, who took full advantage of the uncertainty caused by Roman Pavlyuchenko working his way back from an offside position to fire past Shay Given.

That cancelled out Charles N'Zogbia's 11th-minute opener after he had run on to Given's towering clearance and got the better of covering defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto to score.

However, it was the visitors who looked the more likely victors as time ran down with substitute Frazier Campbell going close twice in the dying minutes in front of an increasingly anxious black and white contingent among a crowd of 47,982.

Campbell flicked an 83rd-minute header well wide from Bentley's cross, and with Newcastle's propensity for conceding late goals no secret, tension within the stadium was rising all the time.

But with seconds of normal time remaining, Duff collected Viduka's return pass to beat Gomes and send the black and white faithful into raptures.