Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth kicked four penalties to set up Newcastle's win

Newcastle Falcons moved a step closer to the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought win over Montauban at a freezing Kingston Park.

Full-back Alex Tait surged through for the game's only try as the home side overturned a 6-3 half-time deficit.

Jimmy Gopperth kicked three second-half penalties to keep up his side's unbeaten record in Pool Five ahead of the return fixture in France next week.

Newcastle denied Montauban a losing bonus point with strong late defending.

Newcastle: A Tait, C Amesbury, G Bobo, T Tu'ipulotu, T Biggs, J Gopperth, M Young; L Ovens, M Thompson, C Hayman (capt), J Hudson, T Swinson, J Afu, W Welch, F Levi.
Replacements: R Vickers, M Ward, G Shiells, P Browne, E Williamson, H Charlton, R Miller, T Catterick.

Montauban: J Dalla Riva, J Cassin, A Henderson, F Le Bourhis, A Figueiredo, C Coll, J Audy; G Shvelidze, M Lozupone, S Florea, R Frost, S Murray, R Sazy, A Campos, B Mach.
Replacements: G Arganese, N Adams, B Sa, A Boutaty, M Clarkin, M Belie, J Larroque, S Paku

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

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