Big bonus for Falcons

Tim Swinson is tackled by Bath's Sam Vesty

Newcastle earned what may be a crucial bonus point from the visit of Bath to Kingston Park.

The Falcons were unable to claim the win which would have virtually guaranteed their Premiership survival, but a point may be enough to keep them clear of Leeds.

Similarly, the win keeps Bath in the hunt for Heineken Cup qualification.

Newcastle were fortunate to survive two breaks by Matt Carraro in the opening five minutes. Only lack of support and some decent Newcastle defence prevented a try on both occasions.

It still left Bath in command at a scrum 10 metres out and with a penalty when the Falcons dropped the set-piece - but Butch James missed what was a straightforward chance, his kick drifting just wide.

James Hudson's lineout take led to a an 11th-minute penalty when Bath dragged down the maul but Jimmy Gopperth had no more success than James with a scruffy strike.

Newcastle wasted a couple of real chances with Alex Tait cutting the Bath midfield defence to ribbons but all they had to show for it was a 23rd-minute penalty from Gopperth.

The lead did not last long, with some excellent Bath ball retention and a typical Michael Claassens try from close range making it 5-3 to the visitors in the 26th minute, with James missing another simple kick.

A silly obstruction on Micky Young led to Gopperth's second successful penalty in the 33rd minute and Newcastle led 6-5.

Power

However, the Falcons had no answer to the power of Bath's forwards two minutes before half-time and conceded a penalty which James kicked for an 8-6 Bath lead.

Newcastle were very much on the back foot after the re-start and were caught offside for Sam Vesty to edge Bath further ahead in the 51st minute.

The Falcons simply could not get out of their own half despite the wind advantage until Manning broke through down the right - but Bath's solid defence cut him off well short of the try-line.

The closing quarter was all Bath and only a spill by Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe ending a series of effective drives.

However, a score was inevitable and it came from the boot of James in the 72nd minute - but only after he had missed yet another simple kick.

At 14-6 Newcastle were without a bonus point but then came the pivotal moment of the match, when Tane Tu'ipulotu broke away and kicked downfield for Jeremy Manning to chase the loose ball and score the try which could keep the Falcons up.