Newcastle Falcons ended their Vicarage Road jinx when they came from behind to notch up a deserved 24-19 win at Saracens.

Rob Andrew's men had not won at the Watford-based club since Saracens moved to Vicarage Road in 1998, but Sunday was a different story.

South African fly-half Luke Smith kept the home side in contention through his consistent kicking in the first half, but Newcastle touched down twice after the break to put the game beyond Saracens despite a late rally.

Saracens had started well with two penalties from Smith's trusty boot, but the tables soon turned.

Just after the half-hour Newcastle centre Tom May touched down for the first try of the afternoon, which was converted by Jonny Wilkinson.

May was set up by scrum-half Hall Charlton, who fed the 22-year-old as he charged through Saracens' Kyran Bracken and Adryan Winnan.

Saracens bounced back with another penalty from Smith to lead 9-7 at the interval and went further ahead five minutes into the second period when the South African kicked his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

However, Newcastle continued to work hard and their efforts were rewarded when Michael Stephenson collected a clever pass from Dave Walder, chipped ahead and successfully chased down to score on the left wing.

Wilkinson again converted to put Newcastle 12-14 ahead.

Prop George Graham added a third try for the visitors after forward Hugh Vyvyan won a lineout and the pack muscled their way over Saracens' goalline.

Wilkinson again converted before full-back Walder added a drop goal to put the visitors well in command.

But to their credit Saracens battled back and deservedly reduced the deficit to just five points after 60 minutes when Ben Johnston touched down and Smith picked up the extra two points.

And Francois Pienaar's men kept coming well into injury time to rattle Newcastle, but the visitors held their nerve to take victory with some solid defending.