Duncan Ferguson scored twice on his debut as he started to repay his £7m fee.

Dave Woods reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

The 6ft 4in Scottish striker sent the Toon Army home happy after Wimbledon had threatened to do their familiar party-pooper trick.

Ferguson, 26, signed this week from Everton, hit his first on 59 minutes, a left-foot volley following good work from Nolberto Solano.

That put Newcastle ahead after Solano had cancelled out Marcus Gayle's opener.

Ferguson - without injured strike partner Alan Shearer - made it safe on time, heading in unmarked from a corner moments before the final whistle. He left the field grinning broadly.

Newcastle's Andreas Andersson battles with Chris Perry

"He worked very hard with Andersson up front," said Newcastle coach Ruud Gullit.

"Against Wimbledon it's not easy because they press you all the time."

The Dons had started confidently. Gayle shot home on 34 minutes after Newcastle keeper Shay Given and Gary Speed made a hash of clearing their lines.

But the lead lasted just four minutes. Mark Kennedy gave the ball away, Keith Gillespie centred and Peruvian Solano took one touch and scored.

Solano was outstanding, tormenting Wimbledon after replacing the injured Steve Glass after 26 minutes.

Neil Sullivan in the Dons' goal denied him with a spectacular save on the stroke of half-time but the South American continued to run the show after the break.

Teams:

Newcastle:

Given, Barton, Howey, Charvet, Hughes, Hamann, Glass, Speed, Gillespie, Ferguson, Andersson. Subs: Harper, Ketsbaia, Solano, Dalglish, Beharall.

Wimbledon:

Sullivan, Cunningham, Perry, Blackwell, Thatcher, Kennedy, Earle, Ainsworth, Gayle, Euell, Leaburn. Subs: Roberts, Kimble, Ekoku, Ardley, Heald.