Andros Townsend has urged Newcastle to grasp the survival lifeline they have been thrown to preserve their Premier League status. Rafael Benitezs men began the weekend six points adrift of safety, but boosted their hopes of pulling off a great escape after rivals and fellow relegation candidates Sunderland did both a favour by winning at Norwich before the Magpies beat Swansea 3-0.The likelihood is still that two of the three clubs which occupy 17th, 18th and 19th places will join relegated Aston Villa in the Championship, but victory over Manchester City in their game in hand on the Canaries would lift Newcastle out of the drop zone and increase belief that they can rescue themselves. Townsend, a January arrival from Tottenham, told the clubs website: It was massively important. The games have been running out and we knew that eventually we had to get three points, and weve done that now.Weve got five games left and weve got to win our home games if we want to stay in the Premier League.I think people outside the club wrote us off after the Southampton game, but we knew that four of our last six games are at home, we knew that we had a good record at home and we knew that we were still in with a chance.One week later, everythings changed. Norwich have slipped up, weve capitalised and now its anyones to grab now. Hopefully we can be the team that takes the last five games by the scruff of the neck and does enough to survive. Rafa Benitez praised the Newcastle fans for supporting his players Townsend played a key role as the Magpies belatedly handed Benitez his first win on his 56th birthday, delivering the corner for Jamaal Lascelles to head in the opener before setting up skipper Moussa Sissoko to score a second.The £12m signing from Spurs wrapped up the victory in the final minute of normal time with his second goal in as many games, but it was the manner of victory as much as the fact of it which gave his team cause for hope.Lascelles belied his youth and inexperience with an outspoken critique of his teams performance and character at Southampton last weekend, but the 22-year-old was delighted with the reaction seven days later. He said: In this changing room, we need a character because I think we have lacked it - I said it last week, I think we have lacked it a little bit this season.Im young, but I dont think that matters. I dont care about experience or anything like that - if you can talk, you can talk, so do it.But its had a big reaction on the other players and thats exactly what we needed, so I am really pleased with them.Watch Newcastle take on Manchester City in a Football Special on Tuesday, April 19 from 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Phil Thompson reflects on Newcastles victory Also See: Newcastle 3-0 Swansea As it happened Newcastle fixtures Get a £10 free bet! Mel Ott Jersey Large . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Custom Giants T-shirts . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.customsfgiantsjersey.com/ . 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INCHEON, South Korea -- Brett Coletta shot a 4-under 68 in windy conditions Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over Cameron Davis in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, setting up an Australian duel for the spot in the Masters that goes to the winner Sunday.We dont want to get ahead of ourselves, but the thought of playing in the Masters and The Open as well does turn your stomach a little bit. You cant put too much pressure on yourself, Coletta said. Youve just got to go about your business and the best man will win.The 20-year-old Coletta birdied the last two holes -- holing a 40-footer on the par-3 17th -- to reach 14-under 202 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, the site of the Presidents Cup matches last year. He opened with two 67s.I feel really confident, Coletta said. I got off to a hot start then plateaued through the middle. The holes in the middle are really tough. The drives on 10, 11 and 12 are really demanding in this wind. Im very happy with my finish as its reinforcement for tomorrow.Davis had a 69. He was second behind Chinas Jin Cheng last year in Hong Kong in the raain-shortened tournament.dddddddddddd Two weeks ago in Mexico, The 21-year-old Davis led Australia to victory in the World Amateur Team Championship and won the individual title.It was really good to grind out a good score, and Im looking forward to another challenging day with Brett, Davis said. I guess after the tournament one of us is going to be a little happier than the other or someone else might have a great round tomorrow. You just never know whats going to happen.Japans Junya Kameshiro was third at 8 under after a 71. Curtis Luck, the Australian who wrapped up a Masters invitation in August with his U.S. Amateur victory, shot a 70 to reach 7 under.Jin was tied for 16th at 2 over after a 74. Hes a freshman at the University of Southern California,The event is conducted by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters and The R&A. The winner also will get a spot in the British Amateur and a place in the final stage of British Open qualifying. ' ' '