Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew has called into question the standard of refereeing in the Zurich Premiership and promised to study "every one" of Roy Maybank's decisions during a fractious encounter against Gloucester.

Andrew was left frustrated by referee Maybank after Henry Paul stole the points for Gloucester in the fifth minute of injury-time with a controversial penalty to make it 22-19.

Maybank came into the game with a reputation for the number of penalties he has awarded this season and the game was dogged by the number awarded at the breakdown.

But Andrew is concerned the problem runs deeper than just one man, and feels that the crucial last penalty exemplifies the problem.

James Isaacson took the ball into the ruck and was penalised for holding on, but Andrew insists it should have gone the other way.

"I'd like to look at the referee's decision again because I'm not sure it was a penalty against us. I'd like to look at every one his of his decisions again closely because I'm not sure he got them all the right way," he said.

"If anything I think it should be a penalty for us. He went in with the ball but a ruck was formed and he had loads of players on top of him and he couldn't move. They are meant to get the tackler away from the ball and there was no attempt, the first person who should have been penalised was the tackler."

He added: "Referees have to be accountable. We will be looking at all his decisions. We always put a report in and it's (national referees chief) Colin High's responsibility to deal with the referees.

"(Bristol coach) Dean Ryan got into trouble last year for making comments about referees and I'm not going to criticise the referee, but he is professional and he has to look at every decision he makes.

"Unless we clear up the breakdown areas we will not have a decent game in this country. I have said it week after week. Colin High and Brian Campsell have been here saying 'we are going to get tacklers off the ball and people away from slowing the ball down' but nothing's changed. Until we get quick ball in this country you've got no space to work with."

It was an error-strewn encounter, dogged by the number of penalties awarded at the breakdown, but given a thrilling climax when Newcastle's Epi Taione came off the bench to storm over for a try after 81 minutes.

The Tongan's score had seemingly earned the Falcons a draw but, deep into added time and just after Paul had missed a drop goal from in front of the posts, Gloucester were handed a second lifeline.

And the New Zealander, who took over the kicking duties from Ludovic Mercier in the second half, made amends with the last kick of the game to earn the victory.

Andrew was critical of his own side, who were as guilty as Gloucester, but insists the standard of refereeing is not helping the Falcons play in the way they aspire to.

"We have to look at ourselves and we will. We pride ourselves on discipline and we were poor in that area today.

"The breakdown was a mess, as it was against Wasps, and the referees have to clean that up and they are just not doing it.

"I thought we played well and I don't think we deserved to lose.

"We are trying to play the game, but we are not being allowed to by the referee. We have frailties which we are working on.

"They (Gloucester) are supposed to be the best side in the country, the favourites for the league, and I thought we played the better rugby.

"I am hugely frustrated with final result, but over the whole performance it was a huge step forward and if we carry on that improvement, we'll be fine."

Andrew's Gloucester counterpart Nigel Melville would not be drawn on Maybank's performance, and simply said: "He is a professional referee and did his best out there. It was probably a difficult game to referee."

Dean added: "In the context of all the others it was probably right. It doesn't matter if the penalty is in the last minute or the first - if that is what he adjudges to be a penalty offence."