Steve Bates has said victory over Gloucester will boost Newcastle's confidence ahead of their relegation dog-fight against Bristol.
Coach says win will give confidence in relegation fight
Newcastle coach Steve Bates said victory over Premiership high-fliers Gloucester will boost his side's confidence ahead of next month's relegation dog-fight against Bristol.
The 10-7 win at Kingston Park on Sunday saw the Falcons open up a seven point gap over the bottom club, who lost their match against Saracens.
Speaking after the match a relieved Bates said he was unconcerned at the style of the victory and just happy to have the points in the bag.
"We have got to take those points and say that is a major result and the way we got them doesn't really matter too much at this moment in time," he said.
"It will give us some confidence for the end of the season and perhaps a little bit of breathing space so we can relax a bit.
"We have now got to take this result and take it forward.
"It takes the pressure off a bit for the game in three or four weeks' time."
60mph winds
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan meanwhile, refused to blame his players after they passed up a penalty to level the scores in the final five minutes, pointing instead to the ferocious weather conditions at Kingston Park.
"I will support decisions," he said. "Those decisions are not right or wrong.
"We did so we have to live with it.
"It was always going to be a game that with 60mph winds out there was going to be very difficult," he continued.
"When a wind is that dominant you are going to sit on a 7-10. It was decided on a penalty to Newcastle and we have to take that on the chin and move on."
