We've had some important games in recent times and on the face of it this wouldn't immediately stand out as one of them. However, don't underestimate how vital this victory could prove to be for the future of this club; in our humble opinion defeat would have seen us relegated.

Last season another trip to the Midlands saw us staring into the abyss: being a goal down to relegation rivals Birmingham at half-time and looking bereft of ideas, ability and motivation until Michael Owen equalised. That point proved to be pivotal and today's victory will hopefully end up being similarly crucial.

The absence of Joe Kinnear, due to illness was only announced three hours before kick-off and just seemed typical for Newcastle United. Going into a vital game, on the back of adverse publicity following the departures of Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia, it was hardly ideal preparation.

The drama was possibly over exaggerated, with high blood pressure and a poor medical history causing the medical staff to take no risks and rush him to hospital. In the end, it was a wise decision - the opening ten minutes was enough to see off fitter men than JFK....

In an incredible spell, Newcastle twice took the lead with Duff slipping the ball under Scott Carson with barely a minute on the clock. The comical defending from the home defence that allowed Ameobi's pass to reach Duff set the tone for the rest of the game but our lot raised the comedy levels even higher.

The lead only lasted a couple of minutes when Enrique dallied in defence and when Nicky Butt gave away possession, Fortune took advantage of a slip by Steven Taylor to fire past Harper, although the shot was far from powerful.

But back came the purple-clad away side through Lovenkrands to sweep the ball home for his first ever Toon goal to restore our advantage with the home defence looking all at sea. Joe's blood pressure must have hit a new high as his grandson relayed the news to his sick-bed.

Things still weren't much better at the other end with our back four conspiring to allow Fortune in on more than one occasion, the linesman's flag and Harper denying a second equaliser.

But our second goal had visibly lifted our lot and at times we managed to knock the ball around with purpose and almost some fluidity, new boys Nolan and Ryan Taylor looking like they had strengthened our side.

Even Shola was causing some threat up front, although it was his usual maddening mixed bag which threatened his own team as much as the opposition.

The killer blow came four minutes before the break when Ryan Taylor's corner from the left was nodded in by his namesake while the Baggies backline simply stood and watched. You half expected the ref to order a retake of the corner such was the lack of movement but after a split second of incredulity the away end celebrated wildly, daring to believe this could be a rare away victory.

Tony Mowbray made a double substitution at half-time but we were still looking fairly comfortable, although we weren't really threatening to score a fourth. On a rare attack Shola failed to connect at the far post and went down in a crumpled heap. Carson put the ball out but Duff inexplicably threw the ball behind the goal line once Ameobi had got back up. Hardly a huge crime but enough to influence what was to follow.

Bednar had gone down injured near the halfway line and our lot were happy for the ball to be put out - a non-challenge from Shola hardly indicated that, but several of his colleagues clearly stopped playing. Bednar got back up and West Brom carried on with ball ultimately ending up at the feet of Fortune who powerfully beat Harper from eight yards.

Some suicidal defending, particularly from Coloccini, followed but thankfully Albion couldn't take advantage of a mad five minute spell when an equaliser seemed more than likely. The South American may look the part but more and more his defending looks to be highly suspect while Bassong grows stronger and stronger - probably our man of the match, ahead of Nolan.

The Taylor combination down the right with Ryan ahead of Steven had worked reasonably well in the first half - Ryan very aware that his colleague isn't a natural right back but after the break we looked less comfortable and a better team than the Baggies would have exploited that area.

We were just about hanging on in there and Mark Viduka returned to action to help hold the ball upfield and alleviate the pressure on our creaking back line. He linked up well with Lovenkrands and with the ball out of our half we began to look capable of seeing out the game.

Happily we survived the agonising last few minutes of added time to claim the points that helped us up to 13th in the table - four points from danger - and send us into a two week break in decent spirits. Anything less just doesn't bear thinking about. We're now effectively six points clear of West Brom (our goal difference is 14 better) and on today's evidence we should finish ahead of them.

However, our next six fixtures look frightening, with Everton, Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea the next visitors to St. James'. The trips to Bolton and Hull look crucial if we aren't to slip back into the mire going into Easter. Are there two more teams worse than us to join Albion in the bottom three? The smoggies and free-falling Pompey look to be our best hopes. Both visit St. James' at the end of the season, by which time we may be looking to a modern-day David Kelly to save our skin.

Niall MacKenzie