Newcastle Falcons head coach Alex Codling admitted a sense of déjà vu as his side took a Gallagher Premiership bonus point from Sunday’s 16-14 home defeat to Northampton.

Just as they had done nine days earlier at home to Gloucester, the Falcons battled in torrential rain and were within a whisker of a result, with Codling saying: “My over-riding emotion is one of frustration.

“We had lots of possession in the first half but didn’t really make it count, and ultimately one mistake has cost us.

“Congratulations to Northampton on getting the win.They took their one chance, and at the Gallagher Premiership level that’s the difference.

“Very similarly to last weekend we were pushing right at the end, and we’re not a million miles away.”

Keen to credit the Falcons faithful, he added: “It’s obviously frustrating for the coaches, players and I’m sure our supporters.

“I want to thank our fans for coming out again today in awful weather, and the support they show to the team is magnificent.

“I would urge them to stick with us because we’re a young group, and we’ll keep working. It’s not easy, but we’ll roll into training on Tuesday and attack Harlequins with the same vigour.”

Travelling to the capital on Saturday to face one of his former clubs, Codling joked: “I’m looking forward to going back down to London because we might see some sunshine!

“All joking aside it would be nice for our lads to get to play in some better conditions than we’ve had the last couple of games, because we’re trying to move the ball. It’s hard to do that when the weather is like it has been the last few weeks, and I’ve felt for the players.

“Quins will provide a similar challenge to Northampton in terms of how they want to play. They’ve got a real attacking mind-set, as do we, but we just have to be a little more precise.

“The big positive this weekend was our discipline compared to last week. We gave away fewer penalties and as a result spent much more time in the opposition half, but we just didn’t make it count.

“Set-piece is always key in the Premiership and I thought our scrum went well for the most part, which allows us to get field position. We controlled the first-half territory but Saints began to pin us back after half-time, and we’ll dust ourselves down to go again next week.”

Buoyed by the imminent return of Argentina quartet Eduardo Bello, Mateo Carreras, Matias Moroni and Pedro Rubiolo from Rugby World Cup duty, Codling said: “They’re back with us this week, and will be here when we start training again on Tuesday.

“We’re looking forward to having them back, and you could see their quality against England on Friday night.

“We’ll see how they are physically and mentally following the World Cup and gauge how best to use them, but it’s great for us and our supporters to have them back.

“I want to really thank our fans once again because they’ve had to turn up in some unbelievable conditions the last two home games, and we’re desperate to get that first league win for them.

“Stick with us, would be my message. We’re working hard for you, and we’re confident it will come.”

Newcastle Falcons’ next home game is on Sunday November 12 when Gallagher Premiership champions Saracens visit Kingston Park.

Click here to buy tickets for the 3pm kick-off.