Ambrose looks cream of the crop for Robson.

Byline: By Simon Rushworth

Darren Ambrose played himself into Sir Bobby Robson's derby plans last night with a dazzling first-half strike on his Newcastle debut.

The former Ipswich midfielder managed 45 vibrant minutes in front of his new manager, hitting an unstoppable 30th- minute opener and linking up well with Brian Kerr in the centre of midfield.

But Robson must have cringed at the sight of pounds 7m hamstring victim Carl Cort limping off yet again, reducing the home side to 10 men for the remaining 24 minutes of an entertaining affair at St James's Park.

Ambrose had hinted at his reputed class with an astute through-ball for Michael Chopra as early as the sixth minute.

The Newcastle striker, who returned from a successful loan spell at Watford earlier this week, was challenged on the edge of the area and Cort picked up the loose ball.

The former Wimbledon forward's first-time shot was well saved by Ben Williams and the visitors cleared under pressure from Wayne Quinn.

Manchester United, coached by former Sunderland Reserves boss Ricky Sbragia, recovered well from that early scare to take a grip on a first half featuring some fine football but few clear-cut opportunities. Steve Harper, enjoying a rare run-out on home turf, reacted well to deny both Matthew Williams and Colin Heath and the Reds were soon to rue those missed opportunities.

Half an hour had elapsed when a hopeful ball forward found Cort jostling for position inside the visitors' area and his deft touch proved pivotal. As the Manchester United defence dithered, Ambrose stole in unmarked to smash home a half-volley in off the crossbar.

Newcastle were leading against the run of play but the Magpies' opening goal appeared to galvanise Tommy Craig's team of emerging youngsters and first team fringe players. Chopra came close four minutes before the break, benefiting from another Cort flick, but misfortune struck in first-half injury time.

Harper gathered a loose Reds pass and bowled the ball to the feet of an unmarked Bradley Orr.

An horrific first touch allowed Heath to capitalise and his low shot proved unstoppable. Kerr almost restored the home side's lead seconds later but Craig looked far from happy as his stunned side disappeared down the tunnel to reflect on a crucial lapse in concentration.

The withdrawal of Ambrose and Kerr during the break suggested both midfielders will be considered for the bench at Sunderland tomorrow and the former, in particular, will have impressed the watching Robson.

Substitute James Beaumont came close to claiming Newcastle's second minutes after the restart and full-back Philip Cave shaved Williams' post in the 52nd minute.

Chopra, who scored four goals in one game against Burnley earlier this month, snatched at a Beaumont cross when a cooler finish was required and the England youth international spurned a far-post header.

Craig, with no substitutes remaining, saw Cort limp off in the 66th minute and moments later 10-man Newcastle were punished following a corner on the right. Darren Fletcher forced a brilliant stop out of Harper but Heath doubled his tally with Shay Given's understudy stranded.

Orr directed a powerful header inches wide and Chopra misdirected an audacious lob with Williams in no man's land but a brave finish was not enough.