Wilko shines as Falcons soar

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson capped a man-of-the-match display with a match-winning last-minute penalty as Newcastle beat Saracens 16-14.

Wilkinson shone in attack and defence, shrugging off recent criticism of his England displays and giving Brian Ashton a welcome boost ahead of this week's trip to Paris.

England centre Toby Flood was also on the scoresheet with the Falcons' only try early in the game.

Wilkinson, Flood and Mathew Tait all impressed to stake a claim for inclusion in the Six Nations against France next weekend, after Jamie Noon was ruled out before kick-off. He has a tight hamstring and is not thought to be a doubt for Paris.

The visitors posed the greatest threat in the opening 10 minutes but were unable to convert it into points as Newcastle defended a pair of lineouts close to their line.

Finish

After going close from a Tait break down the right, Flood put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute with a neat finish, picking up Lee Dickson's bobbling pass and stepping inside the cover defence to go over from close range.

Wilkinson added the conversion from the right and Sarries missed a golden opportunity to respond when prop Kevin Yates fumbled Powell's pass over the try-line under pressure.

Newcastle responded and would have stretched their lead but for de Kock racing back to collect May's clever chip-through.

Wilkinson kicked the Falcons into a 10-0 lead in the 31st minute following Hugh Vyvyan's infringement against his former side on the 22, but Jackson replied soon after to cut the deficit at the break.

The lead changed hands four times in the second half in a rollercoaster 40 minutes.

Continuity

A Wilkinson penalty attempt from halfway dropped well short after the break and it was Saracens who began to establish greater continuity in midfield.

The visitors were rewarded for their endeavours in the 56th minute when Jackson found Skirving with a move from right to left and the number eight went over in the corner

But Jackson missed the conversion from out wide which was later to prove crucial.

Saracens immediately attacked again and took the lead through a Jackson penalty, as Newcastle flanker Ben Woods was sin-binned for pulling back de Kock off the ball.

But the Falcons re-took the lead in the 65th minute as Wilkinson added another three points after Sarries were offside on their 22.

Back came Jackson with a penalty for in at the side - to the fury of the 8,000-plus home crowd - as Sarries edged ahead and tried to make the most of their extra man.

But with just a minute on the clock, Rod Penney was penalised for hands in the ruck.

The chance was from the left of the posts and Wilkinson's kick looked to be drifting wide, only for the ball to strike the near upright and go over.