One season in the Heineken Cup is not enough for London Irish. They want more and, despite failing to collect a try bonus against Newcastle Falcons yesterday, which keeps them in eighth place, Brian Smith, their director of rugby, believes that they can get there the easy way by finishing in the top six in the Guinness Premiership.

There was, however, a huge sense of frustration about him as he contemplated a match during which his team had more than enough possession to add the bonus point to draw level with Saracens, but looked a potent attacking threat only in patches. “It is a long way up to Newcastle and that was a long way down from our Heineken Cup performance against Perpignan,” he said. “It means we have to do a job on Harlequins, who we have in our next game.”

The Irish had Declan Danaher, the flanker, to thank for at least sparing their blushes by converting a couple of the breaks into scores, twice appearing on the wing, just as he did in the 20-9 win over Perpignan in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, to snatch the scoring passes and cross. Peter Hewat failed with both touchline conversions but did manage one penalty goal.

There was little consolation for Newcastle, who lost Jonny Wilkinson late in the match to a neck injury - he is expected to be fit for the next game - and their only try came from Tim Visser, his replacement, with 30 seconds left. The only positive for Steve Bates, the Newcastle interim director of rugby, was that, after going 13-0 down, his team showed glimpses of their potential.

Scorers: Newcastle Falcons: Try: Visser (80+8min). Penalty: Wilkinson (48). London Irish: Tries: Danaher 2 (26, 44). Penalty goal: Hewat (5).

Scoring sequence (Newcastle first): 0-3, 0-8 (half-time), 0-13, 3-13, 8-13.

Newcastle Falcons: M Tait; T May, T Dillon, S Jones, J Rudd; J Wilkinson (rep: T Visser, 74), J Grindal (rep: M Young, 79); M Ward (rep: D Wilson, 70), A Long (rep: M Thompson, 47), D Wilson (rep: C Hayman, 47), A Perry (rep: R Winter, 62), M Sorenson, A Buist (rep: G Parling, 36), B Wilson (rep: E Williamson, 48), P Dowson.

London Irish: P Hewat; T Ojo, S Mapusua (sin-bin, 80+5), S Geraghty, S Tagicakibau; E Hickey, P Hodgson (rep: W Fury, 80+3); T Lea'aetoa (rep: D Paice, 56), D Coetzee (rep: D Murphy, 56), F Rautenbach (rep: T Lea'aetoa 80+1), J Hudson, R Casey, D Danaher, R Thorpe (rep: JM Leguizamón, 80+1), P Murphy (rep: S Armitage, 62).

Referee: D Rose.

Attendance: 7,484.