Newcastle Falcons suffered the heartbreak of a last minute Adrian Jarvis drop goal, as Alan Tait's men tasted Aviva Premiership defeat against Leeds Carnegie, in front of a record crowd at Kingston Park.

This blood and thunder match was no spectacle for the faint hearted with both side’s going all out for a crucial victory.

And it looked as though the northeasterners were in the groove right from the off, as Tait’s outfit gave the ball some air on a day that was perfect for free-flowing rugby.

In the opening exchanges Leeds were thwarted by a strong Falcons rearguard, with the likes of Andrew Van der Heijden and Euan Murray in no mood for niceties. Newcastle were very nearly rewarded for their heroics in defence on six minutes, with a try courtesy of some ambitious attacking play in the backline.

Jimmy Gopperth and Jeremy Manning combined well to send Luke Fielden in the clear, and with the try line firmly in his sights, the former Bedford man went close to a score following a neat chip over the top.

Newcastle underlined their attacking intent moments later as Gopperth elected to kick for touch rather than have a pop at goal. From the lineout which was beautifully thrown in by Matt Thompson, the Kingston Park club were very much on the charge for the first score.

First Mark Wilson and then Ally Hogg, both took the ball forward in robust fashion, with Carnegie evidently struggling to keep the hosts at bay. Following a series of drives referee Andrew Small penalised the Yorkshireman for offside and this time Gopperth obliged with the boot to edge his side 3-0 in front.

A roar reverberated around the populated Kingston Park as Newcastle were on the rampage once more, with Hogg making valuable metres towards the whitewash. Micky Young took the initiative from the ruck, to drop his shoulder and dive over for a try. Gopperth added the extras to surge into a 10-0 lead.

However, Leeds dug deep and sought to play much of their rugby through the heavies in the forward pack. Captain for the day Steve Thompson, powered is way over the line to score under the posts. Jarvis notched over a simple conversion to reduce the score to 10-7.

The men from Tyneside responded well to the set-back and Luke Eves went agonisingly close to extending their lead. He touched down in the corner, but an infringement in the build up was spotted by the Kiwi referee.

Tait’s troops soon nosed further ahead thanks to a Gopperth penalty, following a Leeds offside to make it 13-7. Newcastle’s lineout looked to be in perfect shape as Van der Heijden rose to collect clean ball on a number of occasions. From a neat lineout, quick hands in the backline provided the ammunition for Jeremy Manning to dart in at the corner to send the majority of the 6,876 crowd into raptures.

You could have been forgiven for thinking it was going to be the Falcons day, as Jarvis struck the top of the upright with a penalty and the score remained 20-7 with a couple of minutes to the break. But Neil Back’s Leeds side showed grit and determination to touchdown right on the half-time whistle. From their own half Leeds kept the ball alive to unleash winger Peter Wackett in for a score. Jarvis converted to reduce the arrears to 20-14.

Leeds came out for the second period in positive mood and Jarvis soon registered a score with the boot.

Again the Falcons showed a good response with Manning very nearly capitalising on a charge down but the bounce of the ball eluded the talented Kiwi.

Leeds’ prop Gareth Hardy turned the tide in favour of the visitors, crashing over to give his side the advantage. Jarvis converted to give his side a 24-20 lead. The Falcons task was not helped by the departure of Manning due to injury.

In cat and mouse style, the Falcons nudged within a point of Leeds after a sublime Gopperth penalty. Replacement Gcobani Bobo who came on for the injured Manning, gave a good account of himself with some creative attacking runs and with Leeds on the back foot, the home side took full advantage with a penalty. The reliable boot of Gopperth gave Newcastle the ascendancy once more.

But Leeds came back strongly with the forward pack making valuable metres forward to present Jarvis with the opportunity to execute a drop-goal to go 26-24 in front.

Gopperth demonstrated his kicking abilities were more than a match for Jarvis with a tremendous 35 metre penalty under considerable pressure to make it 27-26 with just a couple of minutes to play.

With the score poised at 27-26 it was hearts in mouth time as Leeds were immediately back in Newcastle territory. And following a string of drives, the posts were soon in Leeds sights with Jarvis nailing a drop-goal to secure a precious victory at Kingston Park.

Scorers

Newcastle

Tries: Young, Manning
Con: Gopperth (2)
Pens: Gopperth (2)

Leeds

Tries: Thompson, Wackett, Hardy
Con: Jarvis (3)
Pens: Jarvis

Newcastle Falcons

1 Jonny Golding
2 Matt Thompson
3 Euan Murray
4 Tim Swinson
5 Andrew Van der Heijden
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch
8 Ally Hogg

9 Micky Young
10 Jimmy Gopperth
11 Alex Tait
12 Tane Tu’ipulotu
13 Luke Eves
14 Luke Fielden
15 Jeremy Manning

16 Rob Vickers
17 Grant Shiells
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Filipo Levi
20 Alex Gray
21 Chris Pilgrim
22 Gcobani Bobo
23 Rob Vickerman

Leeds

1 Gareth Hardy
2 Steve Thompson (captain)
3 Phil Swainston
4 Daniel Browne
5 Sean Hohneck
6 Kearnan Myall
7 Hendre Fourie
8 Alfie To’oala

9 Scott Mathie
10 Adrian Jarvis
11 Peter Wackett
12 Luther Burrell
13 Henry Faafili
14 Lee Blackett
15 Michael Stephenson

16 Phil Nilson
17 Gareth Denman
18 Juan Gomez
19 Rhys Oakley
20 Danny Paul
21 Dan White
22 Christian Lewis-Pratt
23 Semi Tadulala