BRISTOL CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UNITED 2: If Keith Millen wants to be considered a serious candidate for the managerial post so recently vacated by Gary Johnson, he could hardly have done more to push his case.

True, his reign as caretaker boss would have been better had his side held on to the two-goal advantage afforded them by Lewin Nyatanga and Nicky Maynard in the first half.

But in the aftermath of a turbulent week in which they lost to Reading and Plymouth and parted company with their most successful manager in a generation, City would no doubt have settled for a point beforehand.

With Johnson gone, all eyes were suddenly turned in the direction of his erstwhile assistant and a group of players who could no longer pass the buck and hide behind the coat-tails of a manager who divided opinion.

Ashton Gate's biggest crowd of the season was understandably apprehensive and those inclined to a negative point of view feared another debilitating home defeat, this time at the hands of the rampant Championship leaders.

Yet those fears were banished by a collective response which, had it come earlier in the season, would surely have kept Johnson in place.

Sensing the need to unite and adopt a positive attitude, the fans turned up the volume and gave their team a level of backing not seen or heard previously this season. To a man, the players responded, demonstrating an appetite and desire which, if maintained, will serve to scatter talk of relegation to the four winds.

Transformed, City played with a passion and verve which took Newcastle by surprise and left no room for doubt that these players are prepared to put their bodies on the line for Millen and his backroom staff.

Although pundits and bookmakers have so far given scant regard to Millen's prospects of landing the job, he is the man currently in possession and performances such as this will serve only to strengthen his position.

Certainly he looked the part, sporting a sharp suit and red-and-white club tie and exuding a calm authority as he dominated the technical area. He later took a barrage of media interviews firmly in his stride, answering questions about Johnson's departure and his own future in a polite yet firm manner.

Keen to put his own stamp on proceedings, Millen initiated a change in the playing system, recalled Paul Hartley to the centre of midfield, restored the attacking axis of Maynard and Danny Haynes, and handed a Championship debut to Academy product Christian Ribeiro.

With the benefit of hindsight, no-one who witnessed this thrilling contest could fault the caretaker's selection or decision-making.

Asked how he felt afterwards, Millen said: "It's been a difficult week and I'm emotionally drained. I enjoyed leading the team out in front of a full-house crowd and the television cameras and I enjoyed walking off at half-time leading two-nil.

"When we came under pressure late in the game, I half expected Gary to phone me and give me some advice! I'm not sure if he was watching but, if he was, I expect it would have been very difficult for him."

A high-tempo contest with no holds barred undoubtedly made compelling viewing for a near-full-house audience and those watching on TV. As Millen suggested himself before kick-off, this was perhaps an ideal challenge for a City side which had laboured against more modest opposition during the previous week.

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, and eager to prove themselves following the loss of their manager, City's players showed they are no respecters of reputation as they tore into the Magpies.

Chris Hughton's leaders appeared taken aback when they fell behind to Lewin Nyatanga's first goal since his summer move from Derby County. Toon keeper Steve Harper was unable to hold on to Maynard's stinging free-kick and the Welsh international defender displayed quick reactions and excellent anticipation to follow up and sweep the ball into the net from close range.

Encouraged by that early success, City caused the title favourites all manner of problems as they countered intelligently and with pace, and they doubled their lead shortly before half-time.

Outstanding skipper Louis Carey won the ball on the edge of his own penalty area. Bradley Orr played a 50-yard pass into the path of Maynard and the striker did the rest, surging upfield, cutting inside two would-be challengers and unleashing a ferocious shot which left Harper standing, as it crashed off the inside of the far post and into the net.

In this mood, City might well have gone on to record a famous victory had it not been for the injury which prevented left wing-back Jamie McAllister from resuming after half-time.

Short of defensive options, Millen had no choice but to move Cole Skuse to left-back, introduce midfielder Evander Sno from the bench and revert to a flat back four.

Together with the ubiquitous Marvin Elliott, Skuse had worked prodigiously in the engine room to limit the effectiveness of Toon playmakers Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan in the first half and his presence was sorely missed thereafter.

Despite the disruption caused by McAllister's tight calf and their subsequent inability to retain possession for long enough to relieve the pressure which was steadily building, City held out reasonably comfortably until 19 minutes from the end when goalkeeper Dean Gerken handed Newcastle a lifeline.

Not spotting that Skuse was being tracked by Jonas Gutierrez, Gerken threw the ball out to the makeshift left-back, only to see him dispossessed by the Argentine, who gleefully rounded the crestfallen keeper and rolled the ball into an unprotected net.

Although Gerken was mortified, he should not feel too down. After all, had it not been for his saves, City might well have lost this game.

That appeared the most likely outcome when rising England Under-21 star Andy Carroll profited from a Wayne Routledge centre to net his 15th goal of the season four minutes later.

Gerken was then called upon to make a startling reaction save to tip Leon Best's powerful header over the bar. But determined City stood firm and demonstrated the kind of iron resolve which suggests they could yet finish what has been a largely frustrating season on a high note.

City (3-5-2): Gerken; Ribeiro, Carey, Nyatanga; Orr, Skuse, Hartley, Elliott, McAllister (Sno, 46); Maynard, Haynes (Sproule 84).

Newcastle (4-4-2): Harper; Enrique, Hall (Kadar 52), Coloccini, Simpson; Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Best.

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)

Attendance: 19,144

POST VERDICT

The perfect response at the end of a difficult week. Spirited City restored lost pride and thoroughly deserved their point.