Exeter Chiefs edge basement battle at Sandy Park

In a season of struggle, Exeter Chiefs can take some solace from the fact they have managed to keep their heads above bottom club Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership.

The Chiefs just about maintained the status quo thanks to a last-gasp try from Greg Fisilau but the Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter bemoaned the lack of clinical edge to his team after creating numerous scoring opportunities.

Will Rigg gave Exeter the ideal start in their pursuit of just a third league win of the campaign, crossing in the corner after a spell of early concerted pressure had won the home side a line-out penalty in a dangerous position.

Any thoughts of the Chiefs stepping on the gas were soon swept away by a stoic response from Newcastle, seeking their first win on the road in more than two years, Joe Davis pouncing on a loose pass to score under the posts.

The Falcons then battered the Exeter defence into submission, with Max Clark the man to notch the next try. Home frustration was mounting with every passing minute, as the Chiefs enjoyed territorial dominance without adding to their score.

Eventually, the Falcons, now temporarily reduced to 14 men, buckled under the onslaught and Martin Moloney was able to draw Exeter level. Once again, however, momentum switched back to the visitors with a penalty giving them a 12-15 lead at the break.

The second half looked and felt like a contest between two teams bereft of confidence and the Chiefs were moments away from arguably their lowest point of a low campaign, but they had one more surge. Kane James and Harvey Skinner created the room for Rusi Tuima to set up Fisliau for the winning try.

It was far from pretty, but Chiefs can now take an extended break until the visit of Bath on April 19.