Maritimo 0 - 0 Newcastle: Newcastle draw blank

SHOLA Ameobi came agonisingly close to firing Newcastle to an opening Europa League victory as the woodwork and Maritimo keeper Romain Salin combined to thwart him.

The 30-year-old, captaining a much-changed side at the Estadio dos Barreiros, hit both the post and the crossbar and saw Salin block another effort on a frustrating evening for the Magpies in Madeira.

Midfielder Dan Gosling was also denied by an upright after Alan Pardew’s men bounced back from a less-than-impressive start to their Group D campaign.

They were indebted to keeper Rob Elliot, playing just his second game for the club, for two early saves, and he got down well 20 minutes from time to keep out dangerman Leocisio Sami’s skidding strike, but he also needed the help of the bar when full-back Davide Santon headed Valentin Roberge’s late header against it.

Maritimo: Salin, Briguel, Joao Guilherme, Roberge, Luis Olim, Rafael Miranda, Joao Luiz, Heldon (Fidelis 54), David Simao (Goncalo Abreu 75), Sami, Danilo Dias (Adilson 82). Subs not used: Lima De Oliveira, Joao Diogo, Marcio Rosario, Igor Rossi.

Newcastle: Elliot, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Santon, Obertan (Marveaux 80), Bigirimana, Gosling, Amalfitano (Ferguson 76), Shola Ameobi, Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 53). Subs not used: Harper, Tavernier, Abeid, Campbell.