THERE are times when even the most spirited and the most admirable of performances from make-do-and-mend sides cannot disguise the fact that the real quality is elsewhere. Nor can it always be relied up to overcome impressive opponents. Newcastle discovered both at St James' Park last night.

Newcastle's commitment was never in question but in Monaco they found quick, inventive opposition who had won their three previous away legs in this season's UEFA Cup and who deservedly take a one-goal advantage back to Monte Carlo.

The severely depleted Newcastle, however, are still in this quarter-final, -and it took a fine diving stop from Fabien Barthez 10 minutes from the end to deny Keith Gillespie, and Philippe Albert fluffed a rebound that would have equalised Sonny Anderson's goal on the hour.

As expected the hamstring Les Ferdinand tweaked last Saturday ruled him out altogether and David Ginola's subsequent public request to at least be in the starting line-up at Ferdinand's expense worked. Yet when the game began it was not Ginola at centre forward but Robert Lee, possibly thought to be more at home in the position from his days there at Charlton.

The curious head injury that Peter Beardsley is said to have sustained in training on Tuesday morning meant a seat on the bench for a fourth consecutive game. David Batty's return from suspension, though, was automatic. The only slight surprise from the French was that Thierry Henry, the 19-year-old, played alongside Anderson rather than the Nigerian Victor Ikpeba.

In an exceptionally jittery opening five minutes from Newcastle, however, it seemed irrelevant who was roaming forward in red and white. But then Newcastle settled, calmed as well as encouraged by a towering effort from Albert meeting a Ginola corner. Gillespie then had a stooping 19th-minute header caught by Barthez, but from the save Monaco showed their swift skills once again.

Already the Brazilian Anderson had warmed Shaka Hislop's palms, and he then created an appetising opening for Sylvian Legwinski with an impudent flick. When the electric Henry left Steve Watson unplugged on the right from Barthez's long throw, Henry's pass across goal was a killer. Disappointingly, Anderson in the middle took a dive.

Monaco were looking dangerous every time they broke forward, and two minutes later the uncomfortable Albert hauled down Anderson and only the elastic left arm of Hislop clawed out John Collins's goal-bound free-kick.

After that initial frenzy the play then assumed an absorbing, fast rhythm of Newcastle attack and Monaco counter, although before half-time Barthez was never extended as much as Hislop. As usual, moving forward Newcastle were more convincing than when back-pedalling, but the inevitable lack of clout up front was evident with crosses frequently drifting into the arms of Barthez.

It was not out of the blue when another tentative home passing movement broke down and resulted in Monaco taking the lead. Benarbia initiated a lightning break; Henry peeled off his marker and centred low to Anderson, who put a high, and high-class, finish beyond Hislop's despairing leap. An hour had gone.

Five minutes later that advantage could and should have been doubled by Martin Djetou running unmarked on to a Collins corner only to thump the ball over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish admitted his side face an uphill task to stay in the competition. Dalglish, who hopes to have Ferdinand as well as Asprilla back for the return, has not given up hope of retrieving the tie.

"Our side was dictated by events and the ones who played gave me everything they had," said Dalglish. "But we had three strikers out and it wasn't worth taking a risk with Beardsley so we were always struggling to score a goal and that's the way it proved.

"It's difficult for us now. Monaco have had some great away wins in Europe and their quality is not in doubt. But that's not to say it's a foregone conclusion that they will go through."

Alan Shearer, sidelined by his third groin operation in 10 months, won't be available in Monaco, but Faustino Asprilla, who was suspended for last night's leg, will return and Dalglish is hoping Ferdinand will also recover in time.

Monaco coach Jean Tigana agreed with Dalglish that there was still life in the tie. "We are only at the halfway stage and the second leg will be difficult because Ferdinand and Asprilla will be back and that will give us something extra to handle.

"It was difficult for us at the end of the game because Newcastle put us under intense pressure and they might have scored a goal. But we've achieved our aim. We've won all our games away from home in Europe this season and we always look to attack and score goals when we re playing away.