Newcastle 2-1 Doncaster match report: The Daily Mirror Verdict

Newcastle United striker Marlon Harewood rivalled owner Mike Ashley for the title of least popular man at St James' Park on Saturday.

The home fans were ecstatic after Kevin Nolan's stunning injury time winner helped the Magpies reclaim the Championship top spot.

But during the game, the Toon Army let Harewood know that his below-par performance just wasn't acceptable.

When he was subbed on the hour mark the striker on loan from Aston Villa left the pitch to a chorus of boos.

The Geordie fans have put up with a lot in recent months. They took it on the chin when their team were relegated from the Premier League and Ashley failed to sell the club or reinstate Alan Shearer as boss. But the one thing passionate Newcastle supporters refuse to accept is a lack of effort from their players.

Harewood's feeble attempts to lead the line enraged the home crowd who expect the boys in black and white to sweat blood for the cause.

Man of the match Nolan showed Harewood how it's done.

The former Bolton Wanderers midfielder harried the visitors all afternoon. His goal after 92 minutes, his eighth of the campaign, was reward for the Scouser whose never-say-die attitude has won over the Tyneside public. He backed Harewood to silence the boo boys.

"I was disappointed for him but I've had it and we’ve all had it as players. We’ve just got to get on with it. He’ll bounce back and score goals, we know that. I’m sure they’ll soon be singing his name again," said Nolan whose winner came after Newcastle had been reduced to ten men when Zurab Khizanishvili's was shown a red card for throttling Billy Sharp. Newcastle are expected to appeal the decision.

Victory ended their four game winless run and showed the fighting spirit that runs through Chris Hughton's side.

Nolan admitted his late, late goal handed Newcastle a "get out of jail card." He revealed that poker sessions have helped the players to bond off the pitch.

“Whatever we do, we all do it together. It’s very important that you get to know your fellow players inside and out. We’re only talking about £10 poker nights, there’s nothing extravagant. There are no sharks! If we stick together, keep showing the character we have done, we’ll keep getting the results."

Doncaster were unlucky to leave the North-East empty-handed. Dean Shiels' gave the visitors a deserved lead and for long spells Sean O'Driscoll's side played the better football .

The Magpies spurned great chances to level before Andy Caroll volleyed home a thunderous equaliser. His goal helped make amends for his shocking miss from six yards that is certain to give the Geordie-born lad nightmares. Jonas Gutierrez had earlier blazed over a great chance.

Rovers were left cursing their own wastefulness in front of goal after former Sunderland midfielder Martin Woods blasted wide a penalty 15 minutes from time.

Asked if his team would have secured victory if Woods had scored, O'Driscoll replied. "If my aunt was my uncle. Penalties will be scored and missed as long as there are football matches and he took responsibility. The modern game needs players to take responsibility that is some times not something that can be coached."

Spurred on by another huge crowd even the sending-off failed to derail Hughton's team. They remain unbeaten at home, earning the caretaker a permanent contract. Hughton is expected to sign a deal in the next couple of days that will run until June 2011.

He said: "This club gets under your skin massively. I've had great responses from everybody from day one even in difficult periods. I know it possibly changes when you become full-time manager and there will be a little bit more pressure but it will be an incredibly proud moment for me - as proud as any other moment in my career."

He was disappointed by the rough ride given to Harewood.

"As good as this crowd are, what they want is a team that's winning. we feel the emotions and when things not going they will air their abuse because that's the passionate support. How many teams are going to play Doncaster, with respect to Doncaster, and have 43,000? If we manage to stay at right end of the table, we will be approaching a full house this season."

Newcastle United : Harper 6; R Taylor 6, Khizanishvili 4, Kadar 4, Enrique 5; Guthrie 7, Nolan 8, Butt (c) 5, Gutierrez 6 (Tozer, 87); Harewood 3 (Ranger, 60,6), Carroll 8. Subs (not used): Krul, Donaldson, Geremi, Ngo Baheng, Lovenkrands.

Booked: Harewood 56, Nolan 75,Butt 84.

Sent off: Khizanishvili 85.

Doncaster Rovers : Sullivan 6; O'Connor 6, Shackell 7, Hird 5, Chambers 7; Coppinger 8 (Hayter, 78,5), Gillett 7(Oster, 66,5), Fortune 6, Woods (c) 6, Shiels 6; Sharp 5 (Guy, 86). Subs (not used): Woods (gk), Spicer, Dumbuya, Heffernan.

Booked: Shiels 36, Chambers 76, Sharp 84.