Newcastle 22-20 Northampton

Jonny Wilkinson's kicking lifted Newcastle off the bottom

Jonny Wilkinson crowned another stellar display with the last-gasp conversion that handed Newcastle victory against Northampton.

The England fly-half converted Hugh Vyvyan's 78th-minute try in the corner as the Falcons, who started the day rock-bottom of the Premiership, jumped four places to eighth.

Despite being out-played for long periods Wilkinson's five penalties kept them in touch with the visitors and they are now four places - and four points - clear of the relegation spot.

Matt Dawson grabbed two early tries for Northampton and when Matt Lord crossed for the Saints on half-time they looked on course for victory, before Wilkinson and Vyvyan combined to send them home disappointed.

The courage of the side to refuse to lie down got us through the match Newcastle boss Rob Andrew

Newcastle struggled without influential forwards Mark Andrews and Epi Taione, and once Wilkinson and his England back-up, Paul Grayson, had exchanged penalties Northampton scored the first of their tries.

Nick Beal almost broke clear for the Saints but the visitors managed to recycle the ball and the lurking Dawson scampered in at the corner.

Grayson missed the difficult conversion but Wilkinson was on target shortly after when winger Michael Stephenson carved open Northampton's rearguard, yielding a penalty which the Falcons skipper stroked over.

Northampton increased their lead in the 20th minute when some powerful forward play created another opening for Dawson, who crossed unopposed from five metres out.

Newcastle thought they had scored their first try of the match through Jamie Noon, and although referee Steve Lander pulled them back, a Wilkinson penalty softened the blow.

The number 10 added another penalty to trim the gap but Northampton gave themselves some breathing space deep into first-half injury time.

Second-row Lord pounced on a loose ball and dived over, with Grayson converting to give Northampton a 20-12 lead on the stroke of half-time.

We stopped doing the hard work and started looking for plums Saints boss Wayne Smith

The Falcons had the upper hand early in the second half but the visitors weathered the storm and nearly added to their lead, with Ben Cohen and Peter Jorgensen both being held up over the line.

Wilkinson's fifth penalty kept Newcastle in touch and when Vyvyan plunged over the England star was handed the chance to win the match for Newcastle.

He sent the ball between the posts to seal a dramatic victory as the theme tune from the Great Escape blasted out over the PA system.

Newcastle: Shaw, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, Stephenson, J. Wilkinson, Grindal, Peel, Makin, Hurter, Hamilton, Grimes, Newby, Mower, Vyvyan. Replacements: Botham, Walder, Charlton, Britz, Dunbar, Ward, Thompson.

Northampton: Beal, Ripol, Jorgensen, Tucker, Cohen, Grayson, Dawson, Smith, Thompson, Morris, Lord, Connors, Fox, Pountney, Blowers. Replacements: Miles, Stewart, Hunter, Seely, Brooks, Reihana, Howard.

Referee: Steve Lander (England)