Saracens managed to fend off a struggling Newcastle side despite losing Tim Horan to injury after just 13 minutes at Vicarage Road.

The home side sprung a surprise by starting the experienced Australian at fly-half, but they surrendered an early lead when Liam Botham kicked a penalty from just inside his own half.

The reliable boot of Andy Goode evened the scores and Saracens then started to exert considerable pressure on the Falcons line.

Centre Kevin Sorrell sliced through the middle in the 27th minute but, with the line at his mercy, he managed to search out the only Newcastle player in front of him and fell short.

Pressure finally told on the visitors' defence, however.

Newcastle lost a line-out close to their line and the Sarries pack drove over for hooker Matt Cairns to claim the try.

Goode failed to convert and Newcastle reduced the lead to two points when Samoan fly-half Earl Va'a scored a penalty in first-half injury time.

But with the final kick of the half Goode restored Saracens' lead with another penalty, leaving the half-time score 11-6.

The second half was a much more lively affair with both sides showing greater fluency and ambition.

Prop David Flatman, a second half replacement for Saracens, was on the pitch for just three minutes before making his way back to the bench after he was yellow-carded.

Then Goode increased Sarries' lead to 14-6 with his first of two drop goals.

Newcastle, playing with desire, came back to score under the posts when Epi Taione was driven over in the 74th minute.

But, in a tense finish, Goode sealed home victory with a last-minute drop kick that sailed through the posts.