GLENN ROEDER last night paid tribute to his team and called on the critics to lay off his much-maligned defence.

Newcastle's point at the Commerzbank Arena made sure they finish UEFA Cup Group H in top spot with an unbeaten record having conceded just one goal in four games.

Eintracht Frankfurt created chance after chance and it was as much down to poor finishing from the home side as the Magpies' defensive strength.

But with six clean sheets in their last ten games, Roeder was happy to hand credit to his back four, with Nicky Butt effectively patrolling in front as midfield anchor.

"The game tonight has turned out to be, without doubt, the toughest of the four games," said Roeder.

"I felt Frankfurt played an excellent game and made it very difficult for us.

"Fortunately for us, and this hasn't happened much this season, we had some good fortune with their finishing.

"It's been a magnificent effort from an injury-ravaged squad and to finish with ten points from four games without a defeat is a great effort.

"All I ever ask is for fairness, so if the defence aren't playing well then I think it is acceptable to be criticised.

"When the defence play well then real people will be big enough to give credit where it is deserved."

Taylor also revealed that Steven Taylor had received nothing more than a scratch when he had his shirt torn by the studs of Ioannis Amanatidis.

The Greek earned a booking for the challenge, with Taylor also booked for returning to the fray without receiving permission.

"It's only a scratch. The shirt was more damaged than he was," said Roeder.

"He came through well for us. They all did, We had an excellent chance and to be honest I was happy the chance fell to Emre because normally he's a good finisher.

"It would be easy to criticise, but the goalkeeper spread himself well. It may have been nice to win 1-0, but the draw was good enough to win the group and we were satisfied with that."

Albert Luque started but was again a disappointment, however, Roeder refused to criticise the player he believed had recovered from his car crash on Wednesday morning. "I won't be commenting about any of our players in a negative way. He had recovered enough mentally, I thought."