Goals from Peter Lovenkrands and substitute Fabrice Pancrate secured a sixth successive win, for the first time since 1996, despite the Magpies playing the final 41 minutes without midfielder Kevin Nolan who was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
But goalkeeper Steve Harper and his defenders stood firm to claim an 11th clean sheet of the season.
The 2-0 victory put Hughton's men four points clear of second-placed West Brom, who conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Derby, and 10 ahead of Nottingham Forest, who climbed into third as a result of their 5-1 thumping of Leicester.
Hughton said: "If I look at what we have managed to achieve so far this season, we are always very keen to point that one out."
Read more..
Sporting Life