Bradford City's three-match unbeaten run came to an end at St James' Park today when they went down 2-1 to Newcastle United.

Goals from Gary Speed and Kieron Dyer put Newcastle 2-0 ahead, and although Robert Molenaar pulled a goal back for City it was too late to affect the result.

There was a major surprise when manager Jim Jefferies announced the City team.

Goalkeeper Matt Clarke was missing for the first time this season, his place being taken by Gary Walsh, making his first Premiership appearance for 13 months, with Aidan Davison on the bench.

Clarke, who has been the subject of transfer speculation, has not been at his best in recent matches.

Jeferies also recalled Dan Petrescu and Ian Nolan to the starting line-up and found a place for striker Robbie Blake, who has been on the bench since returning from his three-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

As expected, midfield player Billy McKinlay returned after recovering from a calf injury, but City were without strikers Stan Collymore, who has a started a three-match suspension, and the injured Ashley Ward.

Newcastle recalled former England captain Alan Shearer, who has missed the last two matches with tendinitis in his knee.

City lined up with three central defenders, Andrew O'Brien, Robert Molenaar and Peter Atherton, with Petrescu and Nolan at full back. Blake partnered Benito Carbone up front.

There was danger for City in the third minute when a through pzass from Nolberto Solano found Kieron Dyer in the clear, but Walsh came quickly to the edge of the penalty to save his shot and clear the ball to safety.

Newcastle had slightly more of the attacking play but there was little to choose between in the early stages.

City managed to cut out the danger when Shearer threatened with a run down the middle in the 13th minute and when he was denied the move was taken up by Dyer whose fiercely struck was deflected for a corner.

Newcastle kept up the pressure and went in front after 15 minutes with a goal by Gary Speed.

Warren Barton began the move with a cross from the right which was headed away by Molenaar but only as far as Speed who scored with a rasping first-time shot from just outside the penalty area, the ball going into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Atherton became the first player to be booked when he had his name taken for a foul on Christian Bassedas in the centre circle after 22 minutes.

City's best move came a minute later when Blake broke away down the left before cutting in, only for goalkeeper Shay Given to block his shot.

There were more problems for Newcastle when Given had to race to the edge of the penalty area to clear from the on-rushing Dean Windass while, at the other end, Walsh came rushing farther out of his goal to deal with a similar situation.

A misunderstanding between Atherton and Molenaar on City's right led to a dangerous Newcastle move on the other side of the field.

A crossfield pass found Robert Lee on the right and he cut in only to see his shot blocked. The ball rebounded to Solano whose shot from the edge of the penalty area flew over the crossbar.

Newcastle continued to look the more dangerous side, but they were frequently caught in City's offside trap.

Half-time: Newcastle United 1, Bradford City 0

Newcastle dominated at the start of the second half and Atherton did well to head away a dangerous right wing cross from Solano.

The Peruvian was at the cenytre of the action again five minutes later when Atherton made a well-timed tackle on him as he raced into the penalty area. There were strong appeals for a penalty as Solano went down in the tackle, but the referee waved them away.

Carbone became the third City player to be booked when he had his name taken for a foul on Shearer, Atherton and skipper Stuart McCall having been booked in the first half.

City were playaing some neat football in midfield, but rarely looked like scoring.

There was danger for City after 65 minutes when they lost possession some 25 yards from goal. Newcastle were quick to seize on the mistake when the ball was played out quickly to Dyer on the left. He laid it into the path of Lee who fired wide from 20 yards.

Back came Newcastle and Solano wasted a good chance by firing over after a through pass split the City defence.

Jefferies made his first substitution after 69 minutes, bringing on Peter Beagrie, the match winner in the Coventry match at Valley Parade a fortnight ago, in place of Blake, but before he could make any impact Newcastle went 2-0 in front.

Shearer flicked a long clearaqnce from Given into the path of Dyer, who outpaced Molenaar before scoring with an angled shot after 70 minutes.

Molenaar gave City hope when he pulled a goal back after 82 minutes.

Carbone played a corner short to Beagrie, whose cross to the far post was headed into the net by the tall defender who City signed from Leeds United a fortnight ago.

Then Newcastle came back strongly and Walsh had to dive full length to his left to keep out a strong drive from Shearer.

City twice came close to scoring in stoppage time, but could not manage an equaliser.