ROBBIE Elliott was in the dark over his Wanderers future as he headed the club into the quarter-finals of the Worthington Cup back in 1999.

Transfer-listed by former boss Colin Todd as a cost-cutting measure, the Geordie defender had been out of action under his successor Sam Allardyce because of a double hernia until his appearance at the Reebok as a second-half substitute.

“I haven’t spoken with the manager about my position while I’ve been injured,” he explained after the game.

“I hope to see him in the next few days but I think his hands may be tied. I’ll just have to wait and see.”

Jussi Jaaskelainen saved a penalty from Dutch midfielder Wim Jonk to ensure safe passage to the last eight and a home tie with Wimbledon.

“The victory was fantastic,” Allardyce said after seeing Robbie Elliott head the 53rd minute winner in a surprise return to the side as a half-time substitute for Bergsson. Allardyce’s side reached the semi-finals of both cup contests – losing to Aston Villa and Tranmere Rovers respectively.