Newcastle Falcons’ four-game Kingston Park winning streak came to an end on Sunday when Welsh side Dragons ground out an EPCR Challenge Cup victory.

The Falcons trailed 10-7 at the break having been forced into a last-minute change when tight-head Richard Palframan withdrew just before kick-off, handing a first start to Callum Hancock and a debut from the bench for his twin brother, Connor.

A disjointed start from both teams saw plenty of sparring with few blows landed, but the visitors broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when prop Rodrigo Martinez scored from a pick and go down the left.

Angus O’Brien added the conversion, and his side were only denied a second try by a marginal TMO call when Adam Radwan raced back to bundle Oli Andrew into the left corner post.

Newcastle slowly grew back into the contest, Sam Stuart earning territory with the boot and captain Callum Chick getting them over the gain line, but Dragons took their lead to double figures on 35 minutes when O’Brien slotted a simple penalty from in front of the posts.

It seemed to spark the Falcons up another level, and they cut Dragons’ lead to 10-7 just before the break when Radwan turned on the after-burners and sped into the left corner from 50 metres out, flying past everyone in his way for the score.

Kieran Wilkinson converted on his home debut and his side continued their resurgence just after half-time, winning a jackal turnover on their own 22 and working their way into Dragons territory for their second try of the day.

From a line-out 15 metres out down the left the ball was spun infield, with Connor Doherty putting on a deft grubber kick which centre partner Alex Hearle scooped up skilfully for the score – Wilkinson converting.

Dragons hit back straight from the re-start when Wales back-rower Aaron Wainwright ran in for an unconverted try, leaving his side ahead by a single point, and they extended that to eight points on the hour mark.

Full-back Huw Anderson was the man to inflict the blow, racing 60 metres on the counter after Ben Redshaw’s searing line-break saw an offload go to ground.

Cai Evans converted, and his side were only denied a bonus point by the TMO when Rhodri Williams’ score down the left was pulled back for a forward pass.

Newcastle kept pressing for the decisive two scores, Bryan Byrne and Ben Stevenson both breaking the line, but the Dragons held on for a well-deserved win.

Newcastle Falcons: Ben Redshaw, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Connor Doherty (Oli Spencer, 64), 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Kieran Wilkinson (Brett Connon, 53), 9 Sam Stuart (Hugh O’Sullivan, 64); 1 Murray McCallum, 2 Ollie Fletcher (Bryan Byrne, 64), 3 Callum Hancock (Micky Rewcastle, 60), 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Kiran McDonald, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Tom Gordon (Ollie Leatherbarrow, 77), 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Scorers – Tries: Adam Radwan, Alex Hearle. Conversions: Kieran Wilkinson 2.

Dragons: 15 Huw Anderson, 14 Ewan Rosser, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Oli Andrew (Harry Wilson, 53), 10 Angus O’Brien (captain, Cai Evans, 53), 9 Che Hope (Rhodri Williams, 57); 1 Rodrigo Martinez, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Chris Coleman, 4 Steve Cummins, 5 George Nott (Nick Thomas, 60), 6 Ryan Woodman, 7 Dan Lydiate, 8 Aaron Wainwright.

Scorers – Tries: Rodrigo Martinez, Aaron Wainwright, Huw Anderson. Conversions: Angus O’Brien, Cai Evans. Penalties: Angus O’Brien.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy). Attendance: 2,801.