Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi has conceded that overturning a two-goal deficit against Benfica may have been "a bridge too far".

The Magpies went ahead through Papiss Cisse at the Estadio da Luz last week, but eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat courtesy of goals from Rodrigo Moreno, Lima and Oscar Cardozo.

The Senegalese striker opened the scoring once again at St James' Park last night, but Eduardo Salvio's late goal secured a 1-1 draw that saw Jorge Jesus's men into the last four of the Europa League.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, Ameobi reflected positively on the team's run to the quarter-finals of the competition.

"Two goals is a lot to come back but tonight we gave it a right good go," Sky Sports News quotes Ameobi as saying. "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.

"Credit has to go to the lads - getting to the quarter finals of a big competition is something special."

Newcastle face Sunderland at home on Sunday.