Mathew Tait answered his critics with an inspired second-half performance in which he scored one try and made another as Newcastle battled back for an unlikely draw against Gloucester.

The Falcons were 22-6 down at the break before coming back to lead 27-22 and it needed a try three minutes from the end of normal time from Luke Narraway to give Gloucester the draw and three points two for the draw and one for scoring four tries.

Dave Walder knocked over a third-minute penalty, and Newcastle's defence was lacking when Gomarsall broke through and weaved his way to the corner for a 21st-minute try with Stephenson making the tackle too late.

Four minutes later Marcel Garvey scored under the posts. Paul's conversion made it 12-3 but then Adam Eustace barged Mayerhofler as he chased a kick and Walder cut the gap to 12-6.

A Paul drop-goal followed soon after, then three missed tackles, the last by Long, let in Terry Fanolua for another try under the posts.

Newcastle had a couple of chances at the start of the second half but they failed to make them count until Matt Tait chipped ahead for Stephenson to scorch through for the try which Walder converted.

Mayerhofler broke through and Tait made a brilliant early run to cut inside and race 30 metres to score.

Walder converted to make it 22-20 before he was just wide with a 40-metre penalty in the 70th minute.

Then Mayerhofler scythed through the middle for a try and Walder's conversion took Newcastle 27-22 ahead.

With three minutes of normal time left, however, Narraway was driven over for a try in the corner which levelled the scores.