ROBERT LEE personified the never-say-die ethos which could yet carry Newcastle into Europe against all the odds.

Midfield mainstay Lee made an amazing comeback after four weeks out with hamstring trouble as the enduring Magpies ensured Leeds were again victims of home sickness.

David O'Leary's Champions' League challengers couldn't have wished for a better start, Robbie Keane scoring just inside the second minute.

But, by the end, a mood of dejection had descended on Elland Road as Newcastle became the fifth side to win here in the Premiership this season.

It was a victory which bore further testimony to the managerial skills of Bobby Robson who, at 67, has imbued his players with his own spirit of defiance.

Newcastle may have welcomed back Lee and Nolberto Solano, who marked his return from suspension with his sixth goal of the season, a lightning penalty less than two minutes after Keane had struck.

But Robson's side were still shorn of five key men - skipper Alan Shearer, fellow striker Carl Cort, schemer Kieron Dyer, goalkeeper Steve Harper and winger Stephen Glass.

It was no surprise, then, that there were those taking pre-match bets on how many Leeds would score. After all, Newcastle had conceded five at Arsenal and four at Tottenham in recent weeks.

But that thinking reckoned without the Geordies' resilience and resolve, qualities which have a habit of surfacing when all seems lost.

Incredibly, they are now only four points behind third-placed Arsenal and a Champions' League spot.

But a cautious Robson insisted that talk of Europe is something of a taboo subject. "We're knocking on the door, but we're not going to talk about it,'' he said.

"We mentioned it to the players on Friday as a motivational point, that there was a target to go for. We're sixth and with our injury list, it's quite remarkable.

"I've never been in this situation with injuries. In all my years in management, even abroad with clubs like Barcelona, I never had the difficulties I've had here - fighting for points and respectability.

"I think the players have done very well. We've regrouped and worked out the best way of playing without the likes of Shearer and Cort.

"In this match we showed huge character. Without character, attitude and professionalism, we wouldn't have won - we'd have been turned over 4-0.

"Rob Lee was terrific. He's had no reserve fixture, just some training, and he showed tremendous staying-power.''

Acting skipper Lee said: "People will always write us off, but we know we're a decent team.

"We're capable of pushing even further up the league when more of the senior players return.

"We just have to maintain this sort of form until the likes of Shearer, Cort and Dyer get back. Then we will really be a match for anybody.

"I think if Bobby had money he would have brought a lot of people in over the last few weeks, but we're sixth and we've got some big players to come back.

"I've been out for a month and I've never been a good watcher. It's been frustrating, but ever since Ruud Gullit left I've appreciated every game.''

Lee, who insisted cramp in his calves was the only reaction to his lay-off, added: "Leeds played very well, but I thought we matched them in midfield.

"We also defended as well as we have done. Alain Goma was outstanding and I thought their goal was a bit fortunate.''

Republic of Ireland striker Keane reacted sharply to stab home a rebound from teammate Eirik Bakke, after missing an initial chance on the end of Mark Viduka's cross.

But Newcastle were quickly back in the game when Danny Mills handled from Kevin Gallacher and Solano sent keeper Paul Robinson the wrong way with the spot-kick.

Shay Given, recalled when Harper stubbed a toe in training, reasserted his claims to be Robson's first-choice keeper with a brilliant one-handed save from Lee Bowyer.

Robinson was forced to perform a similar, if less spectacular, stop to deny Gallacher before Clarence Acuna returned to haunt Leeds.

Just as he had in the Boxing Day encounter, the Chilean midfielder scored in the 44th minute to hand his side a 2-1 lead.

This time, former Leeds star Gary Speed released the courageous Acuna, who contrived to lift the ball beyond Robinson as he was going to ground on the edge of the penalty area under a despairing challenge from Olivier Dacourt.

Thereafter, Newcastle defended with dogged determination and Leeds became increasingly frustrated.

Keane had a great chance to level when he fired over and Given parried a goal-bound header from Bakke before Newcastle killed the game four minutes from time.

On-loan left-back Wayne Quinn floated the ball across and 19-year-old striker Shola Ameobi grabbed his second goal in three games with a sweet 20-yard drive from Solano's neat pass.