Nolberto Solano heaped derby misery on battling Sunderland as Newcastle condemned their arch-rivals to a 13th successive Premiership defeat to rekindle their own Champions League dreams.

The Peruvian struck with a 43rd-minute penalty after skipper Alan Shearer had limped off to claim three precious points, but the visitors survived a late scare when Kevin Kyle had an injury time header ruled out for a push by substitute Tore Andre Flo on Shay Given.

Newcastle were just about worth their victory on an afternoon when Craig Bellamy could, and perhaps should, have claimed a hat-trick, but they were indebted to Given for two excellent first-half saves from Frenchman David Bellion.

Mick McCarthy's men left the pitch to a chorus of "We'll meet again," from the jubilant United supporters and warm applause from their own fans, who had seen them put the horrors of a dreadful campaign behind them for 90 minutes to produce a performance full of character despite the absence of key men Kevin Phillips and Gavin McCann.

But in the end it all came to nothing as Newcastle left Wearside contemplating a second successive European campaign while their hosts looked towards the hard graft of life in Division One without even a slice of derby joy to comfort them on their journey.

Sunderland had only pride to play for while Newcastle knew their Champions League hopes would only be sustained if they collected all three points and the atmosphere was electric as the sides ran out.

Having lost their last 12 Premiership games on the trot, McCarthy's men were desperate for a change of fortunes and the passion, fight and commitment which has been missing for much of a disastrous campaign was there from the off.

United may have had the greater quality, but they were unable to make it count in the early stages, although Shearer rightly had a second-minute header chalked off for a push on Darren Williams.

Sean Thornton was more than holding his own in the centre of the park against £11million pairing Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas, while Kyle was causing problems for Jonathan Woodgate and firstly Andy O'Brien and then substitute Steve Caldwell with his height and strength.

The home side grew in confidence as the game unfolded as a relatively even contest and it took a fine save from Given to keep out Bellion's 17th-minute pile-driver.

However, Bellamy's pace was proving Newcastle's most effective weapon, but although he got in for the first time on 19 minutes and then again twice as the half drew to a close, he was unable to beat recalled keeper Thomas Sorensen.

United suffered a setback on 26 minutes when skipper Shearer was forced off with what looked like a calf injury and Sunderland stepped up a gear as the visitors tried to reorganise.

Michael Proctor saw a shot loop up off Woodgate and drop just over Given's bar, and Aaron Hughes was a relieved man when he got his head to the resulting corner and the ball skimmed off his head and on to the woodwork.

Given excelled himself once again on 41 minutes when Joachim Bjorklund flicked on Julio Arca's cross and Bellion connected at the far post only to see the Irishman claw his effort away.

But the game turned two minutes before the break when Kevin Kilbane tripped the pacy Bellamy and with Shearer in the dressing room, Solano stepped up to send Sorensen the wrong way and open the scoring.

Bellamy almost forced his way in within seconds of the restart but was denied as Sorensen got a hand in at the decisive moment, and the Dane denied the Welshman once again on 53 minutes as Newcastle threatened to stretch their advantage.

Solano scuffed a left-foot shot wide and the Peruvian skied another effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

But as the chances went begging, Sunderland's hopes of a fightback grew and Bellion tested Given with a snapshot before Michael Proctor failed to trouble the Irishman unduly after being put into a promising position from a quickly-taken free-kick.

Substitute Steve Caldwell got to Williams' 77th-minute cross a split-second before Kilbane and, after Sorensen had saved well from Ameobi, Given had to dive to his right to keep out Thornton's curling 81st-minute free-kick.

Thornton tried his luck again six minutes later from another free-kick after Dyer had fouled Michael Gray, but with Flo on for Arca, the game entered a tense final few minutes.

Bellamy could have sealed the victory three minutes from time after Ameobi left Jody Craddock for dead, but Sorensen once again denied him to give his side hope.

Kyle thought he had levelled in injury time, but Flo's foul on Given saw the strike chalked off, and it was the travelling fans who were celebrating when the final whistle sounded.

Teams

Sunderland: Sorensen, Williams, Bjorklund, Craddock, Gray, Arca (Flo 83), Kilbane, Thornton, Kyle, Proctor (Ryan 76), Bellion.

Subs Not Used: Poom, McCartney, Clark.

Booked: Williams, Proctor, Bjorklund, Kyle.

Newcastle: Given, Griffin, Woodgate, O'Brien (Caldwell 19), Hughes, Solano, Dyer, Jenas, Viana (Bernard 72), Shearer (Ameobi 26), Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Harper, LuaLua.

Booked: Viana, Caldwell, Dyer, Griffin.

Goals: Solano 43 pen.

Att: 45,067

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).