Newcastle keep Troyes at bay

Newcastle's Wayne Quinn (left) halts Fabio's progress

Troyes 0-0 Newcastle

Newcastle's Uefa Cup hopes remain in the balance after a goalless draw away to French team Troyes.

The Magpies had Shay Given to thank for holding Troyes at bay but were unable to convert any chances of their own on a rainy night in France.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson admitted his side had had to battle but was pleased with the result.

"Any result away from home where you haven't lost and you haven't conceded goals is productive, and we've had a productive result.

"It's important when you don't play well that you don't lose, and that's what we've done here."

It was Troyes who began more brightly and the home side nearly took the lead after just two minutes.

Samuel Boutal nodded back Luciano Zavagno's left-wing cross but Nicolas Gousse blasted straight at Shay Given from close range.

I thought we were fortunate not to be two down after 10 minutes

Bobby Robson

Given was called into action again five minutes later after Zavagno's centre found Farid Ghazi unmarked.

Craig Bellamy had a chance after eight minutes but after rounding the goalkeeper Tony Heurtebis, he found his way blocked by the French team's defence.

After 18 minutes, Shola Ameobi surged past Sekou Berthe into the box but the Magpies' striker saw his shot saved by the advancing Heurtebis.

Newcastle began to settle and look the more assured team although Troyes were a threat on the break.

Ten minutes before half-time, Nolberto Solano put Rob Lee through but the English midfielder was unable to take the ball in his stride.

Minutes later Newcastle's defence were guilty of not clearing the ball and Gousse just missed from Medhi Leroy's cross.

There was another moment of danger for the Magpies when Given missed a cross from Zavagno but Robbie Elliott was on hand to head clear.

Given then had to save with his legs from Gousse just before the break.

Troyes again began well in the second half as the slippery conditions deteriorated.

But it was Newcastle who had the first real chance when defender Aaron Hughes nearly converted Solano's square ball across the penalty area.

Troyes hit back and Elliott did well to thwart Gousse after a flowing French move.

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Teams:

Troyes: Heurtebis, Amzine, Berthe, Boutal, Bradja, Celestini, Ghazi, Gousse, Leroy, Olivier Thomas, Zavagno. Subs: Sekli, Djukic, Hamed, Niang, Rothen, Saifi.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Elliott, Dabizas, Solano, Quinn, Hughes, Lee, Bellamy, Ameobi, Speed. Subs: Harper, Stephen Caldwell, Lua-Lua, Bernard, Acuna, Bassedas, Griffin.

Referee: Tom Henning Ovrebo (Norway).