Brian Kerr and Jamie McClen returned to Tommy Craig's reserve side after injury and Diego Gavilan also played after returning from his loan spell in Mexico. Conspicuous by his absence was Carl Cort who also didn't travel to Sarajevo.

However, no less than six of the Zeljeznicar party appeared in this match, a matter of hours after having returned from Bosnia. Messrs Quinn, Elliott and Ameobi all played in Sarajevo, while Bassedas, Griffin and O'Brien watched from the bench.

Due to the timing of the return supporters flight from Sarajevo, many of the usual faces weren't at this encounter including your correspondent. As the incoming plane landed at Newcastle airport just before half time but had flown in over Blyth, he couldn't even claim that he'd glimpsed the first goal from 20,000ft above Durham....

Biffa but mostly Dave Greaves

Reports