Incredible! Newcastle United battled to the death and could have snatched a Worthington Cup semi-final place last night - then the London jinx struck again.

Bobby Robson's side had their chances at Chelsea, but a last-gasp goal from Jimmy Floyd Hasselabink sent the Toon Army back north deflated and dejected.

Hasselbaink's strike, two minutes into injury time, condemned unlucky Newcastle to their 29th game without a victory in the capital. It also ensured a second unwanted run continued - they have never beaten the Blues in a cup competition in 70 years.

Nothing should be taken away from the visitors, who did everything to win the game but put the ball in the net.

Robson was forced to make one change from the side that won 1-0 at Ipswich on Sunday. Frenchman Laurent Robert had a hip injury and Olivier Bernard stepped in.

Shay Given kept his place between the posts, despite rumours that reserve keeper Steve Harper was to get a rare start.

Robert Lee also started and set a League Cup record with his 23rd appearance - taking him clear of Irving Natrass' total of 22.

Chelsea had winger Boudewijn Zenden on the bench after he shrugged off flu but both Emmanuel Petit and Marcel Desailly were ruled out.

After a quiet opening the below capacity crowd had to wait 15 minutes for a clear chance and it went Chelsea's way.

Celestine Babayaro's ball was deflected beyond Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas into the path of Slavisa Jokanovic.

The midfielder was left with only Given to beat but his delicate chip rebounded off the bar and the visitors cleared.

Referee David Elleray blew for the slightest of nudges, but it was the Blues who were looking the more dangerous.

Dutch full back Mario Melchiot skipped past Bernard easily and whipped in a wicked low cross, but the ball just eluded the outstretched boot of Hasselbaink inside the six-yard area.

There was a sudden burst of life as Gary Speed's searching long ball set Craig Bellamy free. With only keeper Carlo Cudicini to beat, Bellamy took one too many steps and scuffed his shot wide under pressure from William Gallas.

The look from the dug-out said it all from Robson, whose side were nearly made to pay for that dreadful miss.

Immediately afterwards an intricate one-two between Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink led to the Icelandic striker firing wide from a tight angle.

It was by no means a pulsating cup tie but there were signs that the match was beginning to pick up a few gears as the half-time whistle blew.

After the break a similar pace resumed and Nolberto Solano fired a right-foot shot marginally over.

The battle between Bellamy and Chelsea centre-back John Terry was reaching boiling point.

The pair, who had both been shown the yellow card in the first half, were at it again as the Newcastle forward was pushed over the advertising hoardings.

This seemed to spur on the hosts, who would have taken the lead but for more heroics by Given from a powerful Gudjohnsen effort.

With around 20 minutes to go both Robson and Ranieri threw on attack-minded individuals to try to create that little extra.

Kieron Dyer made his second appearance as a substitute in four days, while Zenden entered the fray for Chelsea.

With time rujnning out Newcastle had a glorious opportunity to snatch victory from an unlikely source.

But from Solano's outswinging cross centre-back Andy O'Brien headed over when he went up unchallenged.

And weren't Newcastle to rue that miss.

Former Newcastle target Zenden burst clear on the left and crossed perfectly to the advancing Hasselbaink,who volleyed in from close ranged past a helpless Given. Game over for Newcastle.

* Newcastle have confirmed their FA Cup third-round clash with Crystal Palace will remain a Saturday fixture.

The First Division side will head for St James' Park on January 5. Sunderland have also been drawn at home against lower league opposition in the shape of West Brom, but the Newcastle game will not be moved

Read more about Newcastle here.