NEWCASTLE replacement fly-half Brett Connon's nerveless 30- metre penalty clinched a last-gasp success over Wasps that gave Falcons' survival hopes a huge boost.
When tries from Nemani Nagusa and Sonatane Takulua gave the Falcons an eight-point advantage with 15 minutes remaining, they looked odds-on to clinch a first Premiership win over Wasps since May 2012.
But Ben Harris' fourthquarter score then edged the home side's noses in front before a series of powerful forward carries gave Connon the chance to seal the deal.
And, according to Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards, an away win at this stage of the season may prove a decisive moment in the relegation battle.
“Brett pushed one just to the right from the same position in the warm-up before the game, but he has really benefitted from working with Toby Flood and he stepped up when it mattered,” Richards said. “We believe we need to win five out of our last eight; that's two down now so if we get three more wins, I think we'll be safe.
“If we don't it will be touch and go, but with a number of our remaining games being at home, it really is good to get an away win today.”
Wasps dominated the opening stages but failed to get on the board despite former Falcon Marcus Watson going close when Gaby Lovobalavu's chip rolled narrowly the wrong side of the corner flag. Rob Miller eventually put the Black-and-Golds ahead at the end of the opening quarter with a 30-metre penalty, only for Takulua to respond for Newcastle following a slashing Zach Kibirige break.
But it was Wasps who went into the interval with a slender advantage when Miller split the uprights from 40 metres after Watson was tackled high. Newcastle dominated the start of the second period and a long spell of pressure ended with first Johnny Williams then Adam Brocklebank being held in goal.
But the visitors were not to be denied and a solid scrum allowed their forwards to drive replacement Nagusa over for a try which Takulua upgraded. Miller immediately closed the gap to a single point with a well-struck 40- metre penalty but the home side then lost Will Rowlands to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on. The visitors took immediate advantage when Takalua scored and converted their second try following Nagusa's 40- metre break.
Miller's third penalty brought the hosts back within range, and when replacement hooker Tom Cruse carried hard Ben Harris got on his shoulder to score a try against his former employers.
Miller's conversion edged Wasps ahead, and they thought they had a second try only for Watson to be recalled by the TMO for a foot in touch.
This proved crucial as the visitors camped in home territory for the final five minutes during which Flood was short from 38 metres before Connon – who left the bench only 90 seconds earlier – boosted his club's survival prospects.
