In certain northern counties, the end of last week was said to be all about the hand of history. The beginning of this week then, in different northern counties, was all about the hand of relegation.

Since winter began, relegation's icy grip has tightened alarmingly around Newcastle United, pulling Kenny Dalglish's stumbling men backwards and downwards. It seemed shock alone might be enough to drag them down to floorboard level, whereas Barnsley, forced to live within the shadow of the fall all season long, have appeared inured to slipping into something less comfortable.

And yesterday, in the psychiatric ward that is now St James' Park, Barnsley's familiarity with their circumstances kept their mood upbeat, even when behind, and only the dramatic but oh-so-typical intervention of Alan Shearer's growing forehead five minutes from the end denied Barnsley a valid and valuable point.

Until then, Dalglish's increasingly neurotic team had wandered about like drugged patients. They had managed a scrappy goal, Andreas Andersson at last breaking his Tyneside duck, but overall Newcastle's performance was as bad at it gets. No zest, no coherence, no confidence.

It has come to this: relief and gratitude for a late winner over Barnsley. Shearer's header - from the first second-half effort Newcastle had on target - came via Robert Lee, popping up on the right where Keith Gillespie had been so disappointing.

Lee's cross was deep enough for Shearer to peel away from Arjan De Zeeuw, who claimed that he had been fouled, and Shearer's forceful header gave David Watson no chance. All the football played yesterday, and there was not much of it, came from the visitors, Neil Redfearn impeccable as usual and Ashley Ward always available. It was not often penetrating - Shay Given's first serious involvement came with the 50th-minute equaliser - but it was solid. Redfearn and Ward combined for the goal, Ward collecting his captain's centre and driving low at Given. It was a farfrom-fierce shot, but Given spilled it and Jan Aage Fjortoft collided with the post as he poked the ball home.

The brief spurt of optimism that had accompanied Andersson's opener just before half-time - a header after Shearer's shot had rebounded off the crossbar - evaporated. It returned with the winner, but Newcastle are still not safe; four of their remaining five games are away from home, beginning at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Pearce, Albert, Dabizas, Batty, Lee, Gillespie (Ketsbaia 57), Speed, Andersson (Watson 76), Shearer. Subs Not Used: Hislop, Barnes, Tomasson. Booked: Barton, Pearce. Goals: Andersson 40, Shearer 86.

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Bullock (Marcelle 87), Bosancic, Jones, Krizan (Tinkler 45), Ward, Fjortoft (Hendrie 52). Subs Not Used: Leese, Hristov. Booked: Bosancic, Bullock, Eaden, Moses. Goals: Fjortoft 50.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).