The sting

Goals from Alexander Isak in time added on at the end of each half brought Newcastle a fabulous win at the City Ground on Friday evening; the Swedish forward deemed sufficiently fit by his manager to complete a full game.

What had looked like being another case of being robbed by an official again at this venue was thankfully righted from the spot when Isak kept his cool to tuck in the winner in front of a jubilant away end - justice belatedly served for the events here in December 2016.

The ringmaster that Friday night was Steve Martin - now inflicting his ineptitude on the Football League - but taking centre stage this time round was Paul Tierney. He inexplicably denied Elliot Anderson a perfectly good goal in the 64th minute after checking the pitchside monitor to deem Sean Longstaff as offside despite two Forest clearances not being considered as "second phase".

It was tough on young Elliot, who deserved to cap a fine display with a first senior strike for United. He had replaced the hamstrung Allan Saint-Maximin at half time and having warmed the hands of Keylor Navas with a fine volley, the 20 year-old headed in Isak's clever cross at the back post. 

That prompting lavish scenes of celebration behind in the lower tier of the Bridgford End before the belated realisation that all wasn't well - the usual pantomime of checking the monitor simply delaying the inevitable miscarriage of justice. Tierney at least followed the evidence of his own eyes at the end of the game, partially getting himself off the hook by awarding a penalty that was converted.

That last-gasp winner completed a comeback by Eddie Howe's side that began in first half added time after Isak provided an equaliser to cancel out a goal scored during what was almost the only attack worthy of the name from the home side.

Quickly into their stride, Joe Willock had steered a presentable early chance wide before Isak's shot on goal following a free kick was deflected off his own crossbar by Renan Lodi. Then came the Forest goal, inspired by old boy Jonjo Shelvey and facilitated by current Mag, Sven Botman.

0-1 behind, the Magpies continued their assault on the home goal, Sean Longstaff seeing his shot loop off Felipe and ping off the Forest crossbar before Jacob Murphy's effort was charged down and Longstaff again fired over.

As had been the case at Bournemouth though, United went in level at the break after a break down the right flank ended with the ball in the opposition net. Saint-Maximin and Willock combined well for the latter to cross and Isak succeed via a post - a goal greeted with momentary hesitation at the other end of the ground before the scorer's celebration confirmed we had finally scored after the woodwork had been struck.

Into the second half and chances continued to arrive for United either side of Anderson's disallowed header, but this looked like another game that would be memorable for missed opportunities - and another match report accentuating the positives of being close, but not close enough.

Even the most optimistic follower couldn't have foreseen the finale though - our latest goal of the season scored in the most dramatic and memorable of circumstances and prompting an outbreak of celebrations of the "grabbing random bystanders" variety. 

Three points took the Magpies within a point of Tottenham with a game in hand and three behind our next opponents, Manchester United. Spurs drew 3-3 at Southampton on Saturday to make that two points behind with two games in hand.

Those squad members not on international duty headed off for a warm weather training camp in Dubai ahead of the visit of Erik ten Hag's side to Gallowgate on Sunday week. They do so on the back of two deserved victories that have restored confidence after the demoralising trio of defeats. 

And while Eddie Howe will be able to welcome back Joelinton from suspension against the Red Devils, top scorer Miguel Almiron won't feature and there are doubts over Anthony Gordon, Saint-Maximin and Nick Pope - the goalkeeper withdrawing from England duty 48 hours after this success.

Having lost the services of Isak as a result of his last international call-up in September, the Magpies boss will doubtless take a keen interest in events in Stockholm next weekend when Sweden play two Euro qualifiers. In the continued absence of any threat from Callum Wilson, the man wearing the number 14 shirt is integral to our hopes of securing a top six finish for the first time since 2012.