Newcastle (6) 11
Tries: Fielden Pens: Gopperth 2
Bath (8) 14
Tries: Claassens Pens: James 2, Vesty

Tim Swinson is tackled by Bath's Sam Vesty

Michael Claassens' first-half try kept Bath's slim play-off hopes alive but Newcastle remain in relegation danger.

After Jimmy Gopperth's 23rd-minute penalty, Bath hit back with a try from Claassens three minutes later.

Gopperth kicked another penalty but Butch James slotted his own kick to earn Bath a two-point half-time lead.

Sam Vesty and James both converted penalties in the second half to ensure Bath's win but Luke Fielden's late try secured Newcastle a vital bonus point.

Newcastle are now a point clear of bottom club Leeds with one game remaining next weekend - the Falcons go to Bath and Leeds travel to Northampton.

We would have liked to have scored more tries but Newcastle fought hard as you would expect from a side battling to stay up Bath defence coach Brad Davis

Bath are now four points behind fourth-placed Northampton and have secured a place in next season's Heineken Cup

Both James and Gopperth missed early kicks and the first points went Newcastle's way when the latter was successful with his second kick.

That lead lasted only three minutes as excellent ball retention by the visitors saw Claassens go over from close range, with James missing the extras.

Gopperth's 33rd-minute penalty, his 449th point in the Premiership, swung the advantage Newcastle's way before James was finally accurate with a kick to give Bath an 8-6 lead at the break.

Claassens came close to a second try early in the second half and when Newcastle were caught offside, Sam Vesty kicked Bath into a five-point lead.

James missed yet another kick but with 18 minutes to go he was successful for only the second time and Bath increased their lead to 14-6.

Newcastle's relegation fight was given a major boost with the clock ticking down, as Tane Tu'ipulotu broke away and kicked downfield for Fielden to win a frantic foot race and score a try with four minutes remaining.

Despite Gopperth's conversion hitting the post, the bonus point moved the Falcons a point ahead of basement side Leeds.

Newcastle director of rugby Alan Tait:
"The lads didn't know whether to celebrate or not.

"We were very nervy and we couldn't get anything going at the scrum, at the line-out or in the backs.

"You name it, we couldn't get anything going and we have to learn to keep the ball.

"We have to go to Bath and get a result. We have to go there believing we can win because we really didn't perform today although we are pleased with the point."

Bath defence coach Brad Davis:
"We had two main aims going into this match. The first was to secure Heineken Cup qualification and the second was get to the last game of the season with the target of making the Premiership play-offs.

"We have done that, we have taken it to the last day of the season and now we have to finish off the job.

"We would have liked to have scored more tries but Newcastle fought hard as you would expect from a side battling to stay up."

Newcastle: Tait; Fielden, Vickerman, Tuipulotu, Bobo; Gopperth, Young; Golding, Thompson, Murray; Hudson, van der Heijden; Swinson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Manning for A. Tait (49), Fitzpatrick for Vickerman (68), Vickers for Thompson (49), Brookes for Murray (56), M. Wilson for Swinson (66), Gray for Welch (52), Pilgrim for Hogg (69).
Not Used: Shiels.

Bath: Abendanon; Boussuge, Carraro, Banahan, Biggs; Vesty, Claassens; Flatman, Mears, Wilson; Fernandez Lobbe, Grewcock; Skirving, Moody, Taylor.

Replacements: Scott for Boussuge (56), McMillan for Vesty (62), Catt for Flatman (56), Batty for Mears (68), Bell for Wilson (51), Mercer for Fernandez Lobbe (70), Ovens for Grewcock (69).
Not Used: Roberts.

Att: 5,213

Ref: JP Doyle (RFU).

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