In the end this confirmed what Sunderland-supporting women have always argued: that no one connected with Newcastle does romance.

But if Graeme Souness' players avoided one of the FA Cup's great upsets yesterday, Yeading could head back to reality in the Ryman League with considerable pride. The giant was not killed but it was certainly made to fight.

No one could have guessed that six divisions separated these teams, the greatest divide in the competition's history, and for 50 minutes the impossible seemed anything but. With Yeading contesting every ball, and winning more than their fair share, and Newcastle missing chances, it seemed conceivable the part-timers might cause a surprise.

Two goals in 10 minutes from Lee Bowyer and Shola Ameobi promptly put an end to the dreams, but it was appropriate that Newcastle's Steve Harper had to pull off his second good save of the game before the end.

His first had come from a 23rd-minute free-kick taken by the impressive midfielder Dave Clarke. If Yeading created nothing in between, they were not embarrassed either.

In Clarke they had the game's best player, and the striker Dudley Junior Campbell made Jean-Alain Boumsong, on his debut, look anything but an £8 million defender. It was a sign of the worries Yeading were causing that Souness felt obliged to take off the uncomfortable Titus Bramble at half-time, fearful that the centre-back would get a second booking having been cautioned for persistent fouling.

Newcastle broadly controlled the game after Yeading made a bright start, but appeared nervy until they went ahead, and it was notable that Souness saw fit to tear into his players at half-time for not competing hard enough.

"We were losing too many 50-50 challenges," he said. "In the second half we corrected that and were more like ourselves."

He still paid tribute to Yeading, who sit 123 league places below his side: "They pushed us all the way."

The Scot showed even more respect by fielding his strongest available team, with the exception of Harper for Shay Given in goal. Yet Newcastle did not look a collection of players bought for more than £30 million, even if they would have won more comfortably with better finishing.

Profligacy prevented them from ending things as a contest before half-time, though they were also denied twice by Yeading's reliable goalkeeper, Delroy Preddie. In saving one shot by Jermaine Jenas, the 28-year-old dislocated a finger.

"I have taken my glove off and it's hanging off," he said. "I clicked it back into place and had it taped at half-time."

That summed up the attitude of Yeading's players, who surprised Newcastle all over the pitch with their sheer desire - before the goals and tiredness took their toll. The sight of Boumsong losing early 50-50 tackles and Clarke getting back to rob Craig Bellamy summed things up.

"Apart from my kids being born, that the proudest day of my life," said Yeading's manager, Johnson Hippolyte. He was told Sven-Goran Eriksson had been in attendance. "I've heard he's looking for a coach so I'm up for that," the marble mason said. "It would take me out of the marble game."

Yeading have made an estimated £300,000 from this Cup run and Hippolyte hopes there will be another spin-off. He called on Souness and the Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd to allow Yeading to play at St James' Park next summer.

"I hope they might invite us to a pre-season friendly so we can get on the hallowed turf up there," he said. "Even not against their first team."

Newcastle's first-team had it hard enough. Their midfield was never allowed to settle as Clarke, Davis Haule and Darti Brown fought for every ball. Michael Barima, Marc Leach and Alex Stanley, in particular, did well for Yeading at the back and Campbell gave Newcastle's defence a difficult time, even if he never had a scoring chance. Yeading tried to play their way past the Premier League side but threatened only from a couple of set-plays.

Afterwards, Yeading headed for a night out in a London club. They return to reality at Harrow Borough next weekend. Newcastle depart glad to have avoided embarrassment.