England centre Mike Tindall scored the solitary try of a scrappy match as Bath ground out an uninspiring Premiership victory over Newcastle.

Tindall struck 18 minutes from time after Bath had trailed to a drop goal and two penalties from England fly-half Jonnie Wilkinson.

But it was a drab encounter dominated by defences and one full-scale touchline punch-up that ended with referee Chris White sin-binning Bath lock Martin Haag and Newcastle flanker Richard Arnold.

Arnold, whose indiscipline undermined Newcastle's second-half performance, now faces an automatic one-match ban under the totting-up procedure for receiving three yellow cards.

Bath scored 13 points during the final quarter, scrum-half Jon Preston finishing with four penalties and the conversion of Tindall's 62nd minute effort, which was created by flanker Angus Gardiner's unstinting support work.

Wilkinson secured a bonus point for the Falcons with an injury-time penalty, preserving his 100% kicking record - but it was of scant consolation.

Newcastle possessed the game's outstanding individual in flanker Andrew Mower, whose non-stop defensive work and ability to crop up in attack meant Bath had their hands full.

The Falcons rarely missed a first-up tackle, yet their efforts were spoilt by poor handling in attacking areas of the field.

For Bath, this was their fourth win from five Premiership starts, keeping them well in touch with early leaders Leicester.

But coach Jon Callard will be far from happy with a display that saw Bath create few try-scoring opportunities, and they looked especially devoid of ideas without injured fly-half Mike Catt.

England international Catt withdrew suffering from a lower back problem, and his replacement - Australian Shaun Berne - could not spark Bath's back division into life.

Newcastle encountered few problems dealing with anything that Bath threw at them, snuffing out the midfield threat of Tindall and Kevin Maggs while closing down Iain Balshaw whenever the dangerous home wing received possession.

Newcastle led 9-6 at half time and preserved that lead until Bath finally awoke from their slumber to register an expected victory.

Preston booted Bath into a seventh-minute lead, but Wilkinson immediately equalised through a 30-metre drop goal and then kicked two penalties as the visitors appeared well in control.

Preston reduced Bath's arrears before the break, but both Callard and his opposite number Rob Andrew were clearly unimpressed by the first-half fare.

Callard sent on American back-row forward Dan Lyle for Nathan Thomas at the start of the second half, while Andrew replaced Scottish international centre John Leslie with Inga Tuigamala.

Falcons' centre Jamie Noon unluckily saw a try disallowed when referee White ruled a forward pass, and that seemed to give Bath a new lease of life as they finished proceedings much the stronger side.

Although the home team finished on top, there was little for a 7,500 crowd to enthuse about - and next Saturday's trip to European champions Northampton will require a vastly improved effort.

Newcastle, meanwhile, entertain Wasps, and probably on the balance of events today will be marginally more happy than their Recreation Ground conquerors.

Man-of-the-match: Andrew Mower (flanker, Newcastle)