The Magpies moved out of the drop zone with a 3-1 win over local and relegation rivals Middlesbrough at St James' Park.

After overseeing his first victory as a manager in what he had described as the biggest match of his career , Shearer ordered his players to enjoy the moment - but not for too long.

Goals from Steven Taylor, and substitutes Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands, handed the Magpies their first Barclays Premier League win anywhere since 7th February and their first at St James' Park in 2009.

More importantly, it dragged them out of the bottom three at the expense of Hull City, and sends them into Saturday's home match with Fulham knowing a repeat could preserve their top-flight status.

However, while delighted to have tasted victory for the first time as a manager at the sixth attempt, Shearer was refusing to take his eye off the bigger picture.

He said: "I have just said to them, 'Enjoy this tonight, enjoy that winning feeling. You have worked your socks off to get it, now it's in our hands'.

"I said to them before, 'It's been a good weekend, let's go and make it a great one tonight with the right result'.

"It's been a great weekend for us - but there are another two weekends to come.

"It's the first game of three. We asked them to go out and get three points, they have done that.

"The players were magnificent under difficult circumstances. They have got now to go and do that again on Saturday, enjoy that winning feeling and hopefully, there's another one there on Saturday.

"But it will be just as tough because Fulham are flying themselves."

The Magpies had to come from behind to see off their derby rivals after conceding within three minutes of kick-off.

There was a touch of misfortune about Boro's goal as Habib Beye bundled the ball into his own net after Steve Harper had blocked Tuncay Sanli's shot at point-blank range.

Shearer's luck was out once again three minutes later when Boro old boy Mark Viduka rattled the upright with keeper Brad Jones beaten, but he did not have to wait long for their equaliser.

Defender Taylor powered a header home from Danny Guthrie's corner, and the home side looked ready to assume control.

However, Boro refused to let them have it all their own way and worryingly for Shearer, it was they who took control as the game reached the hour-mark, prompting him to withdraw Jonas Gutierrez and Michael Owen and send on Lovenkrands and Martins.

The Nigeria striker had been on the pitch for just 55 seconds when he fired the Magpies in front with 19 minutes remaining, and as Boro rallied once again, Lovenkrands completed the job four minutes from time.

Shearer said: "You make substitutions and hope for them to have an impact but I would be a liar if I said I planned it to be quite that quick.

"Obafemi Martins did everything asked of him, not just with the goal but his overall play. But every single one of the players was magnificent and they all deserve tremendous credit.

"I have just said, 'Enjoy it, enjoy it lads because we have been in that bottom three for a long time. Enjoy being out of it and let's make sure we are not back in there again'.

"It is a magnificent feeling and I really believe we will [stay up], but we have won one game.

"Let's enjoy this, but we have to prepare for Saturday. This victory will give them the confidence which has been lacking and it will give the fans a real lift too.

"There is still a long way to go. I don't want to sound negative, but it's one win. We have got to get another two and make sure we are safe."