The Newcastle Falcons remain bottom but one in the Aviva Premiership after Juan Socino missed a pair of late conversions which would have earned them victory against Saracens this afternoon.

Falcons centre Socino was successful with both of his penalties in the first half, but the hosts trailed by four at break because of Neil de Kock's converted try and Owen Farrell's penalty.

Newcastle took the lead for the first time not long after the break when Socino converted Sinoti Sinoti's score, but Saracens responded when Nick Tompkins went over.

Farrell kicked the visitors seven clear before Chris Ashton's try in the 68th minute, for which Farrell failed to add the extras, put them 12 ahead.

There was a grandstand finish as Chris Harris scored two tries in the final few minutes, including one after the 80-minute mark, but Socino was unable to convert either, meaning that the Falcons had to settle for the losing bonus point in a 25-23 loss.

Victory for Saracens sees them climb a place to third in the table.