Dyer's winner heartens Toon army

'That was the most hostile environment I have played in but the first 20 minutes were the best I have experienced.

'It was a great team goal and the funny thing was I had said to the lads when we got here that I would score a goal. It bobbled up nicely but I knew as soon as I hit it that it was in. The team came of age and we did extremely well, although the job is only half-done.''

The two sets of fans were drinking in the city's bars throughout the day yesterday and in the afternoon, much to the amusement of the locals, Robson also ambled through the streets of a city which still shows signs of the atrocities from the three-year siege

during the Balkan conflict.

Dozens gathered round him as he sipped coffee with his coaching staff and president Sir John Hall in the old town and those brave enough ventured forward for an autograph or picture. Others just simply stared.

But by 8.15 local time last night, after the Zeljo Hymn had blasted out for more than two hours, any friendly welcome was forgotten for Robson and his side.

The mood of the self-proclaimed Maniacs hardly improved within two minutes of kick-off when Almir Gredic's apparent opener was ruled out for offside, albeit correctly. It was one of only two shots on Shay Given's goal.

Dyer's 56th-minute goal was the highlight of a workmanlike performance from a young Newcastle side without Gary Speed, Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy, three of the most influential players from last season's campaign.

Dyer, who looked more comfortable in a central midfield role, started the move near halfway and exchanged passes with Lomana LuaLua and Alan Shearer before beating the advancing Zeljeznicar keeper Kennan Hasagic with a delightful flick of the outside of his right boot.

If there was one disappointment for Robson, it was that his side failed to add to their lead.

The unpredictable LuaLua, who is as much a frustration to his team-mates as he is a nuisance to his opponents, had already wasted one first-half header which he should have converted before missing another chance just three minutes after Dyer's opener.

With only Hasagic to beat, and Shearer and Dyer in impatient attendance nearby, he simply let the ball run into touch. Robson's look of resignation said it all.

LuaLua's replacement Shola Ameobi rattled the Zeljeznicar crossbar in the dying minutes as he too narrowly failed to confirm Newcastle's dominance.

At least Robson was delighted with a solid defensive performance which meant Given had only one telling save to make, an

instinctive one-handed stop from Jure Guvo's left-foot shot. Zeljeznicar coach Amar Osim is already making preparations for his team's visit to St James' where he has not ruled out a Champions League shock.

He is planning a shopping expedition before he flies with his young team to Tyneside.

Osim said: 'I am going to the tailors and I am going to buy a new dark blue suit, and I am not joking.

'The game in Newcastle is a big game for us.

We are a small club and it is extraordinary for us to be playing at St James' Park in a stadium with 50,000 people.

'It is a dream come true for me. I cannot wait to sit in the bench with Sir Bobby Robson on the other side and where managers like Sir Alex Ferguson have been.'