Newcastle reclaimed fourth place in the table thanks to a last-gasp winner from Lomana Lua Lua.

His strike completed a remarkable fightback from Bobby Robson's men who had been two goals down with 17 minutes to play.

But they fought back superbly and Lua Lua's goal has surely condemned Derby to the Nationwide League.

Derby manager John Gregory caused a pre-match surprise by leaving Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli on the bench.

His omission will no doubt fuel speculation that Ravanelli will leave Pride Park in the summer if the club are relegated.

Branko Strupar was recalled to the starting line-up and partnered Malcolm Christie up front.

Full back Luciano Zavagno was also dropped after the defeat by Southampton and replaced by Richard Jackson.

Newcastle began brightly and Laurent Robert got away from his marker asNolberto Solano delivered the cross.

However Robert couldn't get any power on his header and keeper Andy Oakes was able to save comfortably.

Robert then tried to release Kieron Dyer, only for Oakes to race off hisline and block the danger.

Newcastle came within inches of taking the lead in the 11th minute after a moment of magic from Robert. He sent in a 35-yard thunderbolt that had the vast travelling army on their feet. But Oakes somehow got up to push the shot onto the bar and away to safety and prevent Derby going behind.

It was a worrying time for the home side with Newcastle having the majority of possession.

Morris was looking Derby's best option at unlocking the Newcastle defence. He used his pace down the left to get in a good cross only for Sylvain Distin to clear as Branko Strupar was about to pounce.

Then Malcolm Christie got into a good position for Derby, only to hook his shot wide.

Derby were beginning to look a little bit more confident after a nervous opening to the game.

With Christie always willing to take on opponents, the home fans had cause for optimism.

There was a scare for Derby when Rob Lee carelessly lost possession to Solano in the middle of the park.

He skipped away and released Dyer but he had timed his run badly and drifted offside.

Derby opened the scoring in the 46th minute when Morris, who had been impressive in the first half, got on the end of a pass from Strupar andraced down the line.

He delivered a low cross to the back post, where Christie side-footed a shot beyond Given.

Shearer then saw a goal-bound shot cleared off the line by Chris Riggott, only for Derby to hit back and grab a second.

Morris sent a superb 12-yard volley in off the post after being released by Barton to stun Newcastle.

Derby fans could hardly believe what was unfolding before their eyes andscreamed for a penalty after 63 minutes.

Morris was jostled off the ball by Aaron Hughes but referee Rob Styles saw it as a legitimate challenge and waved play on.

Ravanelli was called up a minute later for Christie, who had put in a solid shift up front.

Shearer eventually got the ball in the net in the 66th minute when he lashed home a free kick from Robert only for it to be ruled out for offside.

The Newcastle talisman looked astonished at the decision, which prevented his moment of history.

Shearer and Lee were then forced to go off for treatment with blood pouring from the faces of both players after they collided in midfield.

Ravanelli then hauled back Lomana Lua Lua in the area and was lucky not to concede a penalty.

That seemed to spark Newcastle into action and they stunned Derby by pulling level with two goals in two minutes.

Robert got Newcastle's opener in the 73rd minute with a superb 35 yard free kick that flew beyond Oakes.

Derby's fragile confidence was then exposed by Dyer, who added the second, after being released by Solano.

Gregory lost his cool and was ordered out of the technical area by referee Rob Styles.

Ravanelli missed an easy chance while at the other end Gary Speed and Jermaine Jenas saw shots come back off the woodwork.

Lua Lua sealed a dramatic victory for Newcastle when he swept home Solano's cross in the 89th minute.

Teams

Derby: Oakes, Barton, Riggott, Higginbotham, Boertien, Jackson, Lee (Evatt 81), Kinkladze, Morris (Elliott 90), Christie (Ravanelli 65), Strupar.

Subs Not Used: Foletti, Grenet.

Booked: Riggott, Higginbotham.

Goals: Christie 46, Morris 53.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien (Bernard 66), Dabizas, Distin, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert, Shearer (Jenas 73), Cort (Lua-Lua 59).

Subs Not Used: Harper, Elliott.

Booked: Distin.

Goals: Robert 73, Dyer 76, Lua-Lua 90.

Att: 31,031

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).