SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night admitted it was "all or nothing'' for Newcastle in their desperate bid for a return to the Champions League.

United were booed off yesterday after they were held to a bitterly disappointing 1-1 draw by relegated Wolves at St. James' Park.

Newcastle, who have only won two Premiership away games all season - back-to-back victories over Middlesbrough and Fulham in October in the space of three days - must repeat the feat to pip Liverpool to the coveted fourth place.

St. James' was only around a quarter full for the traditional end-of-season lap of honour by the Magpies.

But while faith may be dwindling among the Geordie legions, Robson did his best to remain resolute in the face of an enormous task.

Newcastle, who still have much to do to seal a UEFA Cup spot ahead of Aston Villa, visit Southampton on Wednesday before Saturday's showdown with Liverpool. Skipper Alan Shearer saw his 83rd-minute penalty yesterday saved by goalkeeper Paul Jones after Wolves substitute Ioan Viorel Ganea had countered Lee Bowyer's first-half opener.

Robson, who refused to rule out a dramatic return for Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer from hamstring injuries in time for the Anfield clash, admitted that Shearer was "distraught''.

The Newcastle manager said: "It's all or nothing now - but I never thought it was going to be easy.

"We have to believe. We have to look upon it as two cup finals, two away matches we have to win. It'll be difficult, but we have to be ready for it.

"That's what we've talked about in the dressing room. We didn't play spectacularly here but we didn't do that badly.

"We had chances to win the game and, on balance, we should have won it. There was a certain amount of listlessness in the team.

"They were a bit weary, but they've played 28 games in Europe in the last two seasons and people shouldn't forget that.

"The expectation level is so high, but you have to be realistic. Five of the band weren't playing (Dyer, Bellamy, Jonathan Woodgate, Jermaine Jenas and Andy O'Brien).

"Take five out of the Arsenal or Manchester United sides, and they would struggle.

"But Bowyer was quite impressive and he lasted the game better than I thought he would - he hasn't trained very much for over two-and-a-half weeks.

"It was a clever goal and, at that stage, Wolves didn't look like troubling us. But Shola Ameobi, who did well to set up the goal, missed a good chance just after half-time.

"If he'd gone down instead of shooting, it would have been a penalty, but he stayed on his feet and put it past the post.

"We eventually missed a penalty, but I don't grumble about penalties. The keeper chose to go the right way.

"Alan then nearly atoned with a dipping 25-yarder. I have told Alan to forget about it. He's distraught, very disappointed. It's a shame and he's very sad, but I'm sure he'll take the next one.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy missed one for Manchester United on Saturday and Alan's was a better penalty. He hit it quite well.''

Shearer said: "What has cost us this season is not my penalty, but that we haven't played well enough throughout the season.

"We're down but we're still not out.

"It will be very difficult for us. We have to finish with two wins and we've only won two away games in the league all season.

"If you were a betting man, you'd bet against us, but as long as there's a way we'll keep at it.''

Robson, who was relieved to learn that Shearer's shoulder injury was nothing serious, added: "We can do it with resolve and commitment.''

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