Job done as Newcastle secure top spot

Eintracht Frankfurt's Greek striker Ioannis Amanatidis (R) vies for the ball with Newcastle United's Steven Taylor during their UEFA Cup group H football match in Frankfurt/M. The match ended on a goalless draw.

Injury-plagued Newcastle United secured the point they needed to go into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup as group winners after a 0-0 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

A perfect nine points meant Newcastle had already qualified with two games to spare and they guaranteed top spot in group H with a scoreless draw in Frankfurt.

In truth Newcastle were lucky to escape with the point after a woeful display that underlined why they are fourth from bottom of the English Premiership.

Frankfurt dominated proceedings but their shortcomings in front of goal let them down and the Germans must now beat Fenerbahce in their final match to progress.

Newcastle coach Glenn Roeder saw his side ravaged by injuries in the build-up to this match with Damien Duff, Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer joining long-term casualty Michael Owen on the sidelines.

"This was without doubt the toughest of the four (group) games," said Roeder.

"It has been a magnificent effort by a squad that is severely ravaged by injuries to finish with 10 points with three wins and a draw."

The situation was so serious that Spanish misfit Albert Luque, a 9.5 million pound signing from Deportivo La Coruna, started in attack despite missing his initial flight to Germany due to a car crash.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Greek striker Ioannis Amanatidis (L) challenges Newcastle United's Steven Taylor (C) and Nolberto Solano during their UEFA Cup group H football match in Frankfurt/M. The match ended on a goalless draw.

Frankfurt, who qualified for this competition by reaching the German Cup final, needed to win to have any chance of securing one of the two remaining qualification spots and started with real purpose.

With just six minutes gone Japanese international Naohiro Takahara had the first opening of the match but his shot was charged down.

Albert Streit then forced a fine save from goalkeeper Shay Given with a 24th minute header and a minute later Ioannis Amanitidis headed over with the goal at his mercy.

Newcastle had only conceded one goal in their three previous European matches but they were fortunate not to be three down at the interval after some diabolical defending.

"If we had taken all our chances we would have won 4-0 or 5-0," said Streit.

"It will be tough to win the final match in Istanbul but if we play like we did tonight then we have a chance."

One positive for the visitors was the performance of Turkish international Emre who went closest for Newcastle with a left-footed free-kick inches wide of the post.

Greek forward Amanitidis missed a glorious chance minutes after the break failing to connect with Takahara's pinpoint cross.

"We controlled the game and should have won the match convincingly," said Frankfurt coach Friedhelm Funkel. "We have made it difficult for ourselves now as we need to win at Fenerbahce which is never easy."

With an hour gone Roeder brought on Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins for the ineffective Luque, who did little to impress potential suitors, and Martins was much more of a threat with his pace.

Emre came close to stealing the win for Newcastle in the 80th minute but his toe-poked effort was well saved.