Marcus Stewart's 21st goal of the season ruined Bobby Robson's spiritual homecoming and kept Ipswich on course for the Champions League.

But the Suffolk side left it late before the Premiership's top scorer added to his account from the spot after Nolberto Solano was red-carded for handling on the line.

The Peruvian, who was dismissed for a similar offence in the 4-2 defeat at Tottenham, stuck out an arm to keep out Hermann Hreidarsson's bullet header.

George Burley's men leapfrogged Leeds on goal difference in the process and there are just five matches between the Tractor Boys and a surprise entry into Europe's premier club competition.

Robson returned to the East Anglian club as a visiting manager for the first time since ending his 13-year tenure at Portman Road.

The 68-year-old, who went on to manage England and European giants Barcelona and Porto, made his name as a boss with the Blues, leading them into Europe and winning both the UEFA Cup and FA Cup during that time.

Robson was given a standing ovation by the capacity crowd before kick-off in recognition of his part in Ipswich's halcyon days, and the home support even chanted his name at the end of the contest.

Newcastle made a sensational start and were denied a first-minute penalty by referee Mike Dean when Solano went down under the attentions of Chris Makin and John McGreal.

Ipswich were soon into their stride, however, with Martijn Reuser's scuffed volley from a Fabian Wilnis cross acrobatically turned aside by Shay Given.

Dutch winger Reuser then fashioned a 10th-minute chance for Hreidarsson but the Icelander put a free header over the bar.

Reuser was causing Warren Barton all sorts of problems down Newcastle's right-hand side and from an 18th-minute centre Ipswich were inches away from taking the lead.

Aaron Hughes' head inadvertently directed Reuser's fierce cross goalwards with the ball beating Given and crashing back off the bar.

The ball found its way back to Reuser's feet but his curling shot from a tight angle was beaten away by Given.

Former Newcastle trainee Alun Armstrong then chested the ball into the path of Jim Magilton only for the Irishman to lift his effort over the top.

Despite Ipswich's glut of chances, Newcastle thought they had the lead on the half-hour.

Solano's corner was powered downward and up into the roof of the net by Carl Cort's head but the former Wimbledon striker was penalised for climbing on John McGreal.

Ipswich boss George Burley made a tactical change on the resumption with Chris Makin, who had struggled on the left, switching positions with right-back Wilnis.

Wilnis immediately cut in from the left to drag a shot wide but Burley was clearly not happy with the support provided to Reuser down that side and replaced the Dutch defender with Mark Venus in the 53rd minute with the all-action Hreidarsson moving from the centre of defence.

Newcastle's most fluent move of the match, involving a sweet interchange of passes between Solano and Clarence Acuna, then fashioned an opportunity for Gary Speed but the Welsh midfielder got under his effort.

Makin appeared much more comfortable on the right and the former Sunderland man found Armstrong free in the area; the striker teeing himself up and volleying just over Given's goal.

Captain Matt Holland then popped up on the right to drive the ball into the area, his cross evading a pack of bodies and arriving at the feet of Armstrong, who could not react quickly enough and Hughes cleared the danger.

Ipswich upped the tempo as the half went on and with the home crowd getting restless, Reuser's deflected corner was headed off his own line by Acuna.

But from the resulting flag-kick on the right, swung in by Venus, the onrushing Hreidarsson powered it goalward only for Solano to stick out an arm and stop the ball crossing the line.

Dean had no option but to point to the spot and produce the red card.

Up stepped Stewart to sidefoot home from 12 yards, Given getting his fingertips to the ball but unable to keep out the former Huddersfield poacher's 19th Premiership goal in his first season in the top flight.

Armstrong had the chance to seal the points three minutes later but somehow guided his header, from a superb Hreidarsson cross, the wrong side of the crossbar.

Teams

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis (Venus 53), McGreal, Hreidarsson, Makin, Reuser (Clapham 77), Magilton (Scowcroft 67), Holland, Jermaine Wright, Armstrong, Stewart.

Subs Not Used: Branagan, Burchill.

Goals: Stewart 76 pen.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, O'Brien, Hughes, Quinn, Solano, Lee (Lua-Lua 81), Acuna, Speed, Ameobi (Gallacher 81), Cort.

Subs Not Used: Bassedas, Harper, Stephen Caldwell.

Sent Off: Solano (76).

Booked: Given.

Att: 24,028

Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).