ALAN SHEARER dramatically rekindled Newcastle's UEFA Cup campaign as Mallorca's discipline deserted them at St. James' Park last night.

The Balearic Islanders took a 57th-minute lead in this fourth-round first-leg clash, but by the end were down to ten men after having eight players booked by card-sharp referee Alain Hamer.

Newcastle stormed back with four goals in 17 minutes and skipper Shearer was once more their inspiration, playing a part each time.

Craig Bellamy brought Newcastle level with his fifth goal in six games in the 67th minute after Fernando Correa had given Luis Aragones' side the lead ten minutes earlier.

Shearer jumped for Titus Bramble's long ball to unsettle defenders Federico Lussenhoff and Fernando Nino, and when the ball broke to Bellamy, he kept his composure to sidefoot home.

Shearer then saw his 71st minute header deflected wide for a corner before emerging at the near post to nod home Laurent Robert's right-wing flag-kick for his 20th goal of the season

Three minutes later, Shearer was fouled by Nino and Robert blasted a 30-yard free-kick which eluded keeper Leo Franco.

And when Shearer was scythed down by Edu Moya seven minutes from time, the left-back was sent off for a second bookable offence, Robert curled the free-kick in from the right and centre-back Bramble volleyed in from around six yards for his third goal in Europe this season.

Mallorca saw their 100 per cent record from three away games in the competition blown away after Correa had cashed in on a rare mistake by Gary Speed.

The midfielder gave the ball away to Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o, who had celebrated his 23rd birthday on the eve of the game.

Eto'o fed the ball out to Alejandro Campano, who slid a sliderule return which the striker fired against the bar.

But Correa was the first to react to head in the loose ball and, at that stage, it looked grim for the Magpies.

But Shearer led by example - and Sir Bobby Robson was grateful for that.

Robson had implored his players to give a little extra to improve their all-round performance and make a concerted push for honours this season.

The Newcastle boss had run a personal check on the opposition in their 3-2 defeat by Barcelona at the Nou Camp last weekend, when they pulled back two goals with a spirited late recovery.

A minute's silence was observed before kick-off last night in memory of the victims of yesterday's bombings in Madrid. Newcastle had been supportive of requests by the four Spanish clubs involved in European action - Mallorca, Barcelona, Valencia and Villarreal - to have their games postponed as a mark of respect, but UEFA insisted that all the ties had to go ahead.

While the wisdom of that decision will be debated, there was no doubting that the visitors still had an appetite for action.

When they forced a corner in only the second minute, Nene's left-wing delivery was flicked on at the near post by Gonzalo Colsa and Eto'o's first-time effort just cleared the angle.

If that was an indication of intent, the impression was confirmed in the 16th minute when Newcastle enjoyed a let-off courtesy of an offside flag.

Right winger Campano's pass found its intended target in Eto'o, whose toepoke and block by keeper Shay Given were academic after the flag went up.

But replays showed that Eto'o was comfortably onside when the ball was played.

Bellamy, making his 200th career start, and midfielder Kieron Dyer had been passed fit for the Magpies following hamstring problems, but centre-back Jonathan Woodgate was on the bench after being affected by a virus.

Bellamy was as eager as ever and argued in vain with the referee in the 22nd minute that he had been baulked in the area by right-back David Cortes.

The Welshman looked to have a case, but it was Mallorca complaining 12 minutes later when Moya was booked for a foul on Dyer after appearing to win the ball.

Precious little was seen of Newcastle as an attacking force in the opening period - their first genuine attempt on goal didn't arrive until four minutes from the break when Domingo Nagore was penalised for a challenge on Robert.

The Frenchman unleashed a low, 30-yard free-kick which had plenty of characteristic power, but was always going wide.

There were muted boos around the ground at the interval and the impatience of the Geordie faithful grew in the early minutes of the second half as Newcastle continued to make few inroads.

But things began to look up for United when Speed rose to meet Robert's left-wing corner and Moya was forced to head clear.

In the next move, Robert located Bellamy, who was only denied by the legs of Franco before Newcastle launched a frantic finale to completely change the course of the tie.

Result: Newcastle United 4 Real Madrid 1.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.