Robson fights for InterToto switch

Bobby Robson will re-double his efforts to have Newcastle's InterToto Cup Final second leg moved after last night's goalless draw in France.

The Newcastle manager knows his side were lucky to leave the champagne region without an embarrassing defeat against a little-known side who were only founded 15 years ago.

Only a brilliant save from Shay Given and two more routine early stops from the Irishman, who cut short his honeymoon to chase the UEFA Cup dream, kept their hopes alive.

No wonder Robson is so determined to seek help from European football's governing body as his side prepare for the second leg at St James'Park in a fortnight.

So far, UEFA has insisted that the game must go ahead on August 21, just two days after Newcastle open their Premiership campaign at Chelsea. Robson said:'We face having to play the second leg on the Tuesday and we'll be in London on the Sunday afternoon but we are going to fight that. We have put our plea in and we have had no response yet, but we will pursue it.They have to look at it and give us a chance.' Troyes showed no fatigue following Saturday's defeat to Metz, although coach Alain Perrin decided to rest Yugoslav midfielder Sladjan Djukic.

Troyes' top scorer last season was clearly missing as young strikers Farid Ghazi and Nicolas Gousse failed to capitalise on the home side's superiority. Given made early saves from both players but saved his real heroics until the final minute of the first half when he used his feet to keep out Gousse again. Robson said:'In all honesty we were fortunate not to be two down after 10 minutes but Shay has done his job tonight. If it wasn't for that we wouldn't be in this position.' Shola Ameobi created the one moment of brilliance to raise the spirits of the 400 travelling supporters in the ceaseless rain, for once escaping the attentions of his marker Sekou Berthe only to be denied by the feet of Troyes keeper Tony Heurtebis.

Robson knows his side require a much-improved display in the second leg, saying:'They are the best team we have played in the InterToto Cup but it is set up very nicely for the second leg at St James'. 'We have got a very good draw here but we now have to make our home advantage count, which is what they have not done.'