Access last row added to table - PHP

I have a simple sql query adding a new row to a database and need it to return the a field back to Javascript. The field does Auto_increment but stupildy I called it 'itemId' so mysql_insert_id doesnt work and I don't think I have time to go and amend all the php files that use 'itemId'

Here's my code if it helps:

$addMainItem = "INSERT INTO newsItems (itemId, title, date, 开发者_如何学Ctags, location, latitude, longitude, visibleFrontpage, introText, fullDome, liveEvent, customServing, visitorAttraction, retail, digitalCinema, visiblePublic, thumbPath, links, smallDesc) VALUES ('','$title','$date','$tags','$loco','$lat','$long','$visiFront','$intro','$dome ','$live','$custom','$attrac','$retail','$cinema','$public','$thumbPath','$links','$smallDesc')";
$result = mysql_query($addMainItem) or die('error '.mysql_error());

if($result) echo (mysql_insert_id());

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I've never heard that naming a column itemId breaking mysql_isert_id().

But you can just select the last inserted record if auto_increment is working.

SELECT * FROM newsItems ORDER BY itemId DESC LIMIT 1

You can put the select statement into a transaction with the insert statement if you're using innoDB and you're worried about a race condition.

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mysql_query("SELECT LAST_INSERT_ID()");

Isn't it what are you looking for?