Newcastle scrum-half Micky Young is tackled by Gloucester flanker Brett Deacon during the Falcons' 12-6 win at Kingston Park
Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth kicked all Newcastle's points as the Falcons beat Gloucester to claim only their second Premiership win of the season.
Kiwi Gopperth slotted three penalties between the posts as Newcastle went into half time at rain-soaked Kingston Park with a 9-0 lead.
The Falcons stretched their lead just after the break with a fourth penalty.
And although full-back Freddie Burns replied with two penalties of his own for Gloucester, the home side held on.
Newcastle's victory ended Gloucester's four-game Premiership winning streak and enabled the Falcons to open up a seven-point advantage over bottom-of-the table Leeds.
Gopperth was quickly into his kicking stride, converting his first penalty from 30 metres after Gloucester were caught offside in the second minute.
As both sides struggled in the conditions, home scrum-half Micky Young created an opening when he made 25 metres after taking a quick tap penalty before releasing the backs.
Gcobani Bobo took the final pass but was forced into touch short of the corner.
When Gloucester tried to run it from the scrum they only succeeded in infringing under their own posts, handing Gopperth a simple second penalty.
Newcastle's defence then held firm under severe pressure from Gloucester who were forced into a double substitution after losing both prop Tim Ryan and winger Charlie Amesbury to injuries.
Gopperth inflicted further pain on the visitors, adding a third penalty when the visitors were penalised at the ruck.
A fourth penalty followed soon after the restart, but Burns soon got Gloucester on the scoreboard when the Falcons were penalised for going over the top at the ruck.
Gopperth missed a drop-goal attempt from the 22 before Burns cut the deficit to six points with another penalty.
Gloucester piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but they were unable to make it count as Newcastle claimed a valuable win.
Newcastle head coach Alan Tait told BBC Radio Newcastle: "(On the conditions) Both teams had to play them and one team has to come out on top.
"I thought first half we were very positive, great tactics, thought Jerry Manning was outstanding at putting the ball downfield and Micky Young was sniping all day.
"Although there wasn't a try on show I thought there was enough in the first that to justify that lead and in the second half it got a bit nip and tuck, with the lads not quite boxing it off.
On James Hudson's return from two months out with a hamstring injury: "James holds us together, he was outstanding at the line-outs. We are proud of the team, it was a great effort and will take us forward."
Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath:
"I think three dull penalties in the first half was the difference. We didn't kick the points at that time and potentially we should have.
"Credit to Newcastle. Micky Young kicked the ball, Jimmy Gopperth kicked the ball but there wasn't a lot of rugby in the conditions."
Replacements: Graham for Vickers (51), Ward for Ryan (31), Townson for Swinson (74), Welch for B. Wilson (59), Tu'ipulotu for Amesbury (31), Catterick for Manning (63). Not Used: Hall, Pilgrim.
Replacements: Dawidiuk for Azam (44), Capdevielle for Doran-Jones (64), Cox for Deacon (68), Buxton for Hazell (50), Lewis for Pasqualin (46), Molenaar for Trinder (42), Vainikolo for Sharples (57). Not Used: Thomas.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?