NEWCASTLE skipper Alan Shearer last night launched a passionate defence of the FA Cup and declared: "It's nonsense to say it has lost its romance.''

Shearer's side were given a scare by Second Division Peterborough in a classic David v Goliath battle at London Road.

The Posh fought back from 2-0 down at the interval and it needed a controversial penalty from Shearer seven minutes from time to head-off the threat of a major upset.

Shearer, twice a losing captain in Wembley finals, is hoping to make it third-time-lucky at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in May.

Newcastle have something of an aversion to playing in London, having failed to win on 29 visits to the capital until their 3-1 victory at Arsenal in December.

Shearer said: "I've been trying to win the Cup with Newcastle for six years and maybe this is going to be our year. At least we don't have to play the final in London.

"Anyone who says the romance of the Cup is dead just had to watch this game at Peterborough to realise it's nonsense to say that.

"People still think winning the FA Cup is as big as winning the League - if not bigger. That's certainly the mentality of the Geordie fans.''

Old romantic Bobby Robson was true to that spirit, admitting he felt sorry for Peterborough and that they deserved a replay.

"I'm glad we're not going back to St. James' Park, but I thought at one stage it would have been nice had Peterborough taken us to a replay and earned a bit more money.

"At one time in the game I would have been happy just to get them back to Newcastle. We had a wobble and it was a marvellous cup-tie - the pitch was a great leveller.

"We were never comfortable, but I thought the referee (Neale Barry) missed a big penalty decision when Olivier Bernard was brought down just after half-time.

"It looked a clear penalty. But Andy O'Brien scored an own goal - the joke goal of the year.

"It was the best they've seen at Peterborough for years and it gave them a lift.

"I'm sure it will be repeated on TV for many years.

"But Shay Given kept us in the game with a great save.''

Peterborough boss Barry Fry bemoaned his side's luck, but lent his support to Newcastle's Cup quest.

"We gave them a real scare, make no mistake,'' said Fry. "I'm very proud of my team. We didn't kick them, we passed the ball and gave as good as we got.

"I'm sure they'll have easier games in the Premiership this season.

"I thought we deserved a replay. We would have had £700,000 from this Cup run after taking £500,000 from this game here.

"But I hope Newcastle go on and win the Cup. What better duo than Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer to win the Cup. They are a credit to our game.''

Fry joked: "I told Bobby last week that our floodlights were rubbish. Their centre-half couldn't see the ball when he headed into his own goal.

"But we got a real kick in the wotsits when Leon McKenzie was penalised for handball. He was just a yard from the ball when it hit him.

"But Shearer is such a perfectionist and took the penalty so well."

Robson, meanwhile, revealed that Kieron Dyer missed the game with a slight foot injury, but should be fit for Wednesday's visit to Tottenham.

"I decided not to risk him,'' said Robson. "Jamie McClen came in, did well for us and got a nice goal.

"But there's a good chance Kieron will be all right for Wednesday.''

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