Head coach Alex Codling lamented ‘basic errors’ as his Newcastle Falcons side fell to a 20-14 defeat at home to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

Leading the Gallagher Premiership clash 14-5 but failing to close out the result, the Londoner said: “On a personal level I know the group are pretty crestfallen.

“A lot of the things I’m about to say I’ve probably said after six or seven of our other games this season, which is as frustrating for me to say as I know it will be for people to hear.

“We showed no little courage to battle back and go ahead 14-5 after that disastrous first minute, and you can’t question the spirit and endeavour of this group.

“Having got ourselves into that position you’ve got to be winning those games, but at the moment we’re just making some really basic errors which you can’t do at any level – particularly the Premiership.

“Fundamentally that’s not acceptable, and these errors are killing us.

“We have a habit at the moment of making a mistake and them compounding it with another, and when you lose momentum like that the statistics and just your basic rugby knowledge will tell you you’re likely to concede points.

“I thought our goal-line defence was exceptional because Exeter are lethal from that range, and we stood firm the most part near our own line. It was from further out that some of our basic errors cost us, and at this level it’s just not good enough.”

Thanking the supporters who turned up and helped make the West Stand a sea of black and white, Codling added: “I thought the Wor Flags display before the game was amazing and the supporters turned out in their numbers, so I just want to say thank you them for the way they got behind the lads.

“They care hugely about this club, as we all do, and nobody wants to give them a win more than I do.

“We’ve got Leicester away next week so the task doesn’t get any easier, but I’m not going to shy away from a challenge.

“I’ll keep taking it head-on, but we’ll just have to dust ourselves down and go to one of the toughest grounds in England to win at.”

Newcastle Falcons’ next home game is on Sunday December 10 when we host Montpellier.

The EPCR Challenge Cup clash is a 3.15pm kick-off and tickets are on sale by clicking here.

Supporters are advised this game IS included on the season ticket and season parking pass.