Newcastle won a thriller against European Champions Northampton at Kingston Park, the Falcons hanging on desperately with some great defence in injury time.

Northampton had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half and Paul Grayson's second minute penalty gave the Saints just the start they wanted.

Jonny Wilkinson's 10th minute penalty levelled the scores, only for Grayson to edge the Saints ahead again with another penalty.

But Newcastle moved 10-6 up in the 33rd minute with an Andrew Mower try from Ross Beattie's line-out take and drive over, and Wilkinson converted.

Wilkinson missed another chance, as did Grayson who then slotted two more as Newcastle struggled to contain the Saints forwards.

Wilkinson kicked a 44th minute penalty, but Italian international Luca Martin squeezed over in the corner after some intense Northampton pressure and Grayson converted for the Saints to lead 16-13.

French lock Olivier Brouzet was sin-binned for kicking the ball away as Newcastle tried to take a quick penalty and almost immediately the Falcons scored through Inga Tuigamala. He drove for the line and was stopped, but then played scrum-half when it was recycled, dummied and dived through.

Wilkinson's conversion made in 20-16 and the match was becoming a real contest. A crashing double tackle on Pat Lam and Steve Timpson by Tuigamala saved Newcastle.

With 10 minutes left, Newcastle scored again when Liam Botham got half through a gap and George Graham and Marius Hurter drove it on. Wilkinson whipped the ball long to the big number eight for a try, which Wilkinson also converted.

Northampton roared back to put the Falcons under enormous pressure and from a line-out, Gary Pagel was driven over for a try which made it 27-21.

Newcastle had to survive 10 minutes of intense pressure, with Northampton opting for two scrums when they were awarded two penalties, and then running another penalty.

But Newcastle's tackling was tremendous, and when Grayson and Martin tried to prise open that defence they were penalised for crossing. Wilkinson gleefully belted the ball into touch to send most of the 3245 crowd home happy.

Newcastle: Massey, Botham, Cook, Leslie, Tuigamala, Wilkinson, Armstrong, Graham, Howe, Hurter, Grimes, Weir, Arnold, Mower, Beattie.

Replacements: MacLure for Massey (40), Chilten for Armstrong (67), Balshen for Howe (40).

Not Used: Peel, Vyvyan, Jenner, Charlton.

Northampton: Moir, Bramhall, Bateman, Allen, Martin, Grayson, Malone, Pagel, Thompson, Scelzo, Brouzet, Rodber, Seely,Pountney, Lam.

Replacements: Stewart for Scelzo (59), Phillips for Rodber (76), Hunter for Pountney (49).

Not Used: Brotherstone, Vass, Kirk, Webster.

Sin Bin: Brouzet (52).Att: 3,245

Ref: Chris White (RFU).