BLACKBURN Rovers are still in the hunt for an automatic European place following this richly deserved victory at St James' Park.

A goal apiece for in-form strike-duo Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts, coupled with Reading's defeat to Watford, kept the dream alive.

McCarthy gave Blackburn the perfect start when he tucked away a Stephen Warnock cross from eight yards out in the 14th minute, although Newcastle argued it should have been ruled out for offside.

Morten Gamst Pedersen then had a golden chance to make it 2-0 shortly afterwards, but his shot from 12 yards out was brilliantly saved by United keeper Steve Harper.

Newcastle might have equalised before the interval, but Scott Parker and James Milner both shot tamely at Brad Friedel when they should have done better.

In the second half, Michael Owen was only denied by Chris Samba, who got back superbly to head the England striker's goalbound shot off the line.

And that proved to be a turning point as Roberts then made the points safe with his fifth goal in as many games in the 72nd minute.

Warnock's incisive pass out of defence released Bentley on the right and the midfielder ran half the length of the field before crossing into the centre for Roberts to power home a header.

Newcastle: Harper, Solano, Onyewu, Bramble, Carr, Dyer, Parker, Butt, Milner, Owen, Martins. Subs: Ameobi (for Dyer, 70), Ramage (for Bramble, 70) Not used: N'Zogbia, Srnicek, Carroll Rovers: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Tugay, Mokoena, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts. Subs: Derbyshire (for McCarthy,66) Nonda (for Roberts, 84) Gallagher (for Tugay, 88) Not used: Henchoz, Brown Referee: Mr M Atkinson