NEWCASTLE’S Heineken man fizzed on his return to first team duty at the City Ground last night – but it was a last-gasp intervention from Fabricio Coloccini that ensured Alan Pardew’s Carling Cup dream didn’t go flat.

A classy hour from Hatem Ben Arfa on his long-awaited comeback to the ranks was no small beer for Pardew, but progress was the greater prize as Newcastle extended their unbeaten start to the campaign and advanced into the Fourth Round of a competition United believe they have a serious chance of winning.

And for that they were indebted to Coloccini’s close range header – snaffled from under the crossbar when the game looked set to head for the lottery of penalties. It ensured Pardew’s experimental side emerged unscathed.

However, it was far too close for comfort at times on an evening of pulsating entertainment from two sides that exploded into life after an ordinary first half.

Only eventual match winner Coloccini and Simpson survived from Saturday’s Second City engagement with Aston Villa but Pardew’s promise that his fringe men would grasp their chance proved accurate as they lit up a drab night in the East Midlands.

Forest played their part too – proving there is life left in Steve McClaren’s City Ground reign – but it was the energy of United’s understudies that caught the eye of the black and white observer.

A youthful engine room was a particular plus point as debutant Mehdi Abeid stroked the ball with assurance.