NEWCASTLE skipper Alan Shearer wrote himself into Geordie folklore just when it mattered most as he claimed his record 201st goal for the club to clinch a first league win since December 17.

Three days after Graeme Souness lost his job after managing to take just one point from the last 18 on offer, the 35-year-old eclipsed Jackie Milburn's record with a 64th-minute strike to seal the points. Charles N'Zogbia had set the home side on their way with a 41st-minute opener, but Shearer's landmark goal sparked delirious celebrations at the end of an intensely difficult week.

Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder had reinforced the support for Shearer as Newcastle went in search of a first win in eight Premiership games. Roeder brought rightwinger Nolberto Solano and striker Shola Ameobi back while Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp drafted in former Newcastle full-back Andy Griffin in place of injured captain Dejan Stefanovic.

Ameobi cut out a loose pass on halfway with two minutes gone before running on to Scott Parker's return ball to fire in a low cross which keeper Dean Kiely saved onehanded. Newcastle were putting together some of their most fluent football for weeks with Solano and Emre particularly influential and it wasn't long before Kiely was called upon once again in what would be a busy first half for the former Irish international. Emre was allowed time and space to work his way into a shooting position 20 yards out, and the keeper had to turn his dipping effort away for a corner.

Solano provided the ammunition from a free-kick a minute later for Shearer to power a diving header wide, and although Portsmouth threatened briefly when Wayne Routledge sent in a dangerous cross from the right after being played in by Benjani Mwaruwari, it was largely one-way traffic.

Ameobi came close to breaking the deadlock on 26 minutes when N'Zogbia did well to get in a good low cross from the left, but O'Brien slid in to get there just ahead of his former team-mate. The French midfielder turned up at the far post seconds later to meet a Peter Ramage cross which had been flicked on by Shearer, and his effort was deflected just wide.

But it took a superb double save by former Irish international Kiely to keep the away side on level terms after Newcastle carved the visitors apart. N'Zogbia's hold-up play allowed Ameobi to spin and fire sweetly towards the bottom corner, where the keeper made a fine one-handed stop, and he reacted quickly enough to prevent Shearer converting the rebound.

Benjani got a rare sight of the Newcastle goal after Parker's loose header had handed the visitors possession, but his shot from distance flew high over.

However, the opening goal finally arrived on 41 minutes when Kiely turned Shearer's powerful downward header away with his legs and N'Zogbia followed up to slot home.

Kiely had to collect a stinging Shearer drive from distance and the whistle arrived in the nick of time.

The home side were almost made to pay for some slack play on halfway on 55 minutes as Pompey broke for Davis to play in Matthew Taylor down the left, and his inviting cross was just too strong for first Benjani and then Todorov with Shay Given hopelessly stranded.

Portsmouth were enjoying their best spell of the game as Newcastle's rhythm deserted them, but when they needed it most, Shearer came to the rescue. Ameobi held the ball up on the edge of the box before back-heeling it into his strike-partner's path, and the former England captain dispatched it to overhaul Jackie Milburn's record. Shearer was mobbed by his teammates, with even referee Mark Halsey offering a handshake. In an instant, the atmosphere at St James' had changed. But unfortunately for for Souness, it was just a few days too late.