Wikinson's reliable boot proved the difference in the end

Newcastle (10) 16
Try: Flood
Pens: Wilkinson (3)
Cons: Wilkinson

Saracens (3) 14
Try: Skirving
Pens: Jackson (3)

Jonny Wilkinson kicked a late penalty as Newcastle edged past Saracens in an absorbing Premiership encounter.

England team-mate Toby Flood's try and Wilkinson's boot helped the hosts to a 10-3 half-time advantage but the lead changed four times after the break.

The visitors were rewarded for their efforts when Ben Skirving went over and Glen Jackson's kicking put them ahead.

But with a minute remaining Wilkinson's kick from the left of the posts struck the near upright and went in to win it.

It capped a commanding display in attack and defence from the England fly-half, while Flood and Mathew Tait also impressed ahead of the Six Nations game against France next weekend.

606: DEBATE I thought we had lost right at the end! Abroad_magpie

Another international back, centre Jamie Noon, was ruled out with a tight hamstring but is expected to be fit for England.

After going close from a Tait break down the right, Flood picked up Lee Dickson's bobbling pass and stepped inside to go over.

Sarries missed a golden opportunity to respond when prop Kevin Yates fumbled Adam Powell's pass over the line following severe pressure.

After the break Saracens began to establish greater continuity in midfield and when Jackson found Skirving, the number eight crossed in the corner.

Jackson then put his side in front after Ben Woods was sin-binned for pulling back Neil de Kock off the ball.

But Wilkinson added another three points when Sarries were offside on their 22, although Jackson regained the lead with 12 minutes left.

In the final telling piece of action, Rod Penney was penalised for hands in the ruck and Wilkinson did the rest.

"He's such a good person. He's a great ambassador for sport. He's a great player and obviously there's some other good players out there.

"Some of the things that have been written about him is nonsense to be honest."

Fletcher on Jamie Noon's injury which forced the England centre to miss the match:
"He'll be fine. He was very close to playing. He just had tightness in his hamstring and hadn't trained all week.

"If this had been the last game of the season or a cup final he would have been absolutely fine."

"A loss like this bitterly hurts. We had the opportunity to play the game out but we didn't do it."

Newcastle: May, Phillips, M. Tait, Flood, Rudd, Wilkinson, Dickson, Golding, Long, Hayman, Perry, Buist, Parling, Woods, Dowson.
Replacements: Visser for Rudd (75), Grindal for Dickson (67), D. Wilson for Golding (63), Thompson for Long (63), B. Wilson for Parling (72). Not Used: Williamson, A. Tait.

Sin Bin: Woods (58).

Saracens: Haughton, Leonelli, Penney, Farrell, Ratuvou, Jackson, de Kock, Yates, Ongaro, Johnson, Jack, Vyvyan, Gustard, Seymour, Skirving.
Replacements: Powell for Farrell (20), Ryder for Vyvyan (66), Chesney for Skirving (55). Not Used: Kyriacou, Mercey, Dickens, Thrower.

Att: 8,266

Ref: David Rose (RFU).