Newcastle Falcons scored a late try by Michael Mayhew to earn them a 16-all Aviva Premiership draw with Worcester Warriors at Kingston Park on Friday.

Replacement hooker Mayhew grabbed the try after burrowing his way over from close range - and Jimmy Gopperth supplied the all-important conversion - with just three minutes left on the clock to keep Newcastle in touch of the Warriors.

Shaun Perry's 28th-minute try separated the sides in the first half, with all the other points coming from the boot of pivots, Gopperth and Joe Carlisle.

Having been handed the jersey at the expense of Andy Goode, Carlisle wasted no time in getting the first points on the board, with a fifth minute penalty successfully slotted through the posts.

Carlisle and Gopperth then traded penalties to make it 6-6 before Perry, who has only recently returned from a knee injury, struck from a smart set-piece move.

Newcastle threw everything they had at Worcester's defence in the remainder of the half, but the Warriors stood firm, Samoan centre Dale Rasmussen particularly relishing the physical.

The all-action Perry also summed up the defensive effort when he helped turnover possession a few metres from his own line following a 20-phase move from Newcastle.

Newcastle came out after the break showing real intent and Alex Tait's scything break would have led to a try if only Corne Uys had held onto his offload with the line at his mercy.

A Gopperth penalty did reduce the arrears to four points, but that strike was eventually cancelled when Goode, on as a second-half replacement for Carlisle, was successful with his first kick at goal from 50 metres out.

But Newcastle were determined to have the final say and it was left to Kiwi duo, Mayhew and Gopperth, to ensure they got the draw they deserved.

Final Score Newcastle Falcons 16 (6) Worcester Warriors 16 (13)

Scorers

Newcastle Falcons
Tries : Mayhew
Conversions : Gopperth
Penalties: Gopperth 3

Worcester Warriors
Tries: Perry
Penalties: Carlisle 2, Goode
Conversions: Carlisle

Referee: Wayne Barnes (97th Premiership game)

Teams

Newcastle: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Rikki Sheriffe, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Richard Mayhew, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, , 4 James Hudson (c), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Joe Graham ,1 Grant Shiells

Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 James Hall, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Redford Pennycook, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Jeremy Manning, 23 Luke Eves

Warriors:15 Errie Claassens , 14 Marcel Garvey , 13 Alex Grove , 12 Dale Rasmussen (c) , 11 Miles Benjamin , 10 Joe Carlisle , 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Chris Jones, 7 Jake Abbott , 6 Neil Best , 5 Craig Gillies , 4 James Percival, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau , 2 Aleki Lutui 1 Matt Mullan

Replacements , 16 George Porter , 17 Ed Shervington , 18 Oliver Tomaszczyk , 19 Adam Balding , 20 Sam Betty , 21 Ollie Frost , 22 Andy Goode , 23 Chris Pennell