Shola Ameobi struck Newcastle United into the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night.

The long-serving front man cooly fired home from the penalty spot midway through the second half to secure an impressive 1-0 victory away at Metalist Kharkiv.

The Ukranians - who had only lost twice on their own patch all term - found themselves on the back foot for large parts of the contest, with Moussa Sissoko, Papiss Cisse and Sylvain Marveaux all threatening.

But it was Ameobi, from the spot, who settled the tie after Sissoko was bundled over inside the penalty area by Kharkiv keeper Olexandr Goryainov.

At the other end, Magpies stopper Tim Krul was called upon in the closing stages to perform heroics with a handful of top class saves, and United's celebrations at the final whistle illustrated just how important the Europa League is to them.

Braving the sub-zero temperatures at the Metalist Stadium was Club Photographer Ian Horrocks, who snapped these images from a memorable European victory.