NEWCASTLE ended their preparations for the new season on a high after completing a late comeback to defeat Valencia 2-1 at St James' Park.

James Milner's stoppage time strike sealed the win for Kevin Keegan's men after a Damien Duff header in the 76th minute had cancelled out Joaquin's first-half opener.

Milner hit the winner after the ball rebounded off the post and he steered the ball past goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand to give Kevin Keegan's men a massive boost ahead of the Premier League season.

Both sides were below-par for much of last season, but it was the home side who began strongly.

Wingers Milner and Jonas Gutierrez unsettled the Valencia backline, which led to a string of free-kicks around the visitor's penalty area.

The home side were unable to take advantage of these set-pieces, but as the half progressed the Spaniards balanced the contest out with chances of their own.

Their best opportunity of the early stages came after 22 minutes when the lively Joaquin broke into the area and cut the ball back across the area, but it managed to evade the on-coming Silva.

Valencia continued to press, but Newcastle always looked a threat on the break.

That threat was confirmed on the half-hour mark when Duff burst through the Valencia defence thanks to a neat one-two with Obafemi Martins. However he could not shake off the pursuing Raul Albiol, who made sure the Irishman's shot did not trouble Hildebrand.

Valencia opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a neat move which stunned the Magpies. David Silva chipped a clever pass forward which Fernando Morientes flicked into the path of Joaquin who slotted the ball past Shay Given.

While Valencia coach Unai Emery used the second half to shuffle his pack, Newcastle came out unchanged - intent on pulling level.

Martins was the main threat, but he failed to convert two Milner crosses, first with an attempted overhead kick three minutes after the break then with his head five minutes later.

Valencia looked dangerous after the introduction of Euro 2008 top-scorer David Villa, and he came close to doubling the visitors advantage on the hour mark when he fired a Vicente free-kick into the side netting.

The hosts continued to probe for an equaliser which, despite all their possession, seemed unlikely to arrive as they failed to get a shot away time after time.

But after shipping four goals in their last outing, Valencia coach Unai Emery will have been upset with his defence again when Duff found an equaliser 14 minutes from time.

Gutierrez, who was a constant threat to the Valencia defence, fired in a corner which Duff easily converted.

Then with almost the last kick of the game, Milner made sure all the home side's pressure produced the goal it deserved when he converted from close range.

But after shipping four goals in their last outing Valencia coach Unai Emery will have been upset with his defence again, as they seemingly fell asleep with 14 minutes to go to allow Damien Duff to head home the equaliser.