Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi admits they lost their Europa League tie to Benfica in the first-leg.

Ameobi says making up a two-goal deficit had been 'a bridge too far' as the Magpies exited the Europa League following a 1-1 draw with Benfica at St James' Park tonight.

He told ITV4: "Two goals is a lot to come back but tonight we gave it a right good go. We knew with our fans we would have a good chance.

"That is the luck of the draw I guess but we gave it everything we got but two goals was a bridge too far."

Neither did Ameobi agree Newcastle were not attacking enough in the early stages of the game.

He said: "We knew they were a good side, we didn't want to concede early on.

"We had to be cautious but we had to take it to them."