Toby Flood's second-half try sent Newcastle on their way to a potentially priceless victory in a stormy encounter which saw Sale hooker Rob Webber make biting allegations. Falcons fly-half Flood has seen it all during a glorious career which has harvested three Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers and 60 England caps but right now his team’s goal is simple: survival. This hard-earned success marked a third straight win for Dean Richards’ men and, while they remain bottom of the table, belief is growing that they can beat the drop. Toby Flood of Newcastle Falcons celebrates with his team after scoring his team's opening try Sinoti Sinoti of Newcastle Falcons evades Denny Solomona of Sale Sharks during the game Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards looks on during the match against Sale The match was overshadowed, though, by a clash midway through the first half in which Webber appeared to have alleged that Newcastle had sunk his teeth into the Sale man’s right arm. Sharks boss Steve Diamond was left fuming as Newcastle came from 10-0 down to claim victory in front of a crowd of 27,284 at St James’ Park. Sir John Hall and Dean Richards chewed the fat at pitchside before kick-off, perhaps reminiscing about the good old days and the importance of a match to Newcastle’s current desperate plight. Twenty-one years ago, the Falcons were in the process of revolutionising English rugby thanks to Hall’s chequebook as they became the first side to lift the domestic title within a year of being promoted. Denny Solomona of Sale Sharks celebrates scoring the opening try of the game for his team Newcastle have achieved nothing like it since, although their fourth-placed finish last term marked their best season since that famous 1997-98 championship-wining campaign. Twelve months ago, a crowd of over 30,000 saw them defeat Northampton at St James’ Park in the inaugural ‘The Big One’ twelve months ago. Much water has passed under the Tyne Bridge since then, though, and a campaign blighted by inconsistency and injuries has left them in serious danger of the drop. They were not helped by Worcester, their nearest rivals in the relegation scrap, winning at Bristol earlier in the day to leave Newcastle seven points adrift of safety at kick-off. Nevertheless, the return of Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva, England flanker Mark Wilson and Scotland centre Chris Harris encouraged hopes that Newcastle could register a third Premiership victory in succession. Toby Flood of Newcastle Falcons is tackled by the South African Faf de Klerk of Sale Sharks If they could beat Worcester and win at Wasps, why not Sale? Yet Sale boss Steve Diamond has fashioned a side in his own image; tough, aggressive. Uncompromising. The visitors, bidding to reach the play-off semi-finals for the first time since their title-winning season in 2005-06, named twins Tom and Ben Curry in their back row. Tom Curry, facing off against England team-mate Wilson, lined up at blindside flanker and he showed his class to help create the opening try for Denny Solomona. It came as early as the sixth minute when Sale’s South African scrum-half Faf de Klerk, who beavered away frenziedly throughout, advanced into Newcastle’s 22-metre line. The Springbok then showed intelligence to find Tom Curry in support to his right and the England man kept the move flowing with a neat pass which sent Solomona scurrying over in the right corner. Josh Matavesi of Newcastle falcons is tackled by Rohan Janse van Rensburg of Sale Sharks A conversion and a penalty from de Klerk put Sale 10-0 ahead before a penalty from Sonatane Takulau got Newcastle off the mark before Falcons prop Logovi’i Mulipola was sinbinned for a cynical tackle on de Klerk. Midway through the opening period came huge controversy as Falcons prop Andrew Davidson charged down a kick from de Klerk and touched down but, after lengthy deliberation, it was deemed offside. In the build-up to that incident, Sale hooker Rob Webber alleged that he had been bitten on his right arm, although no Newcastle player was penalised. That sparked a furore between both sets of players and, while Newcastle lacked nothing in spirit, they struggled to penetrate a resolute Sale rearguard. Hard-hitting winger Sinoti Sinoti offered their best hope with a couple of stirring runs and Sale had claims for a second try by Byron McGuigan dismissed on the stroke of half-time. Bryon McGuigan of Sale Sharks touches the ball down over the try line during the match Nevetheless, Takulua’s second penalty meant Newcastle trailed by only four points at the interval. Shortly after the restart, another fine break from Sinoti led to Ben Curry being sinbinned for a cynical infringement at the ruck and from the subsequent penalty Toby Flood darted over the line from close range. The former Newcastle United ball boy, who as a child spent time on the books of the Magpies and bitter rivals Sunderland, could hardly conceal his delight as the hosts led for the first time. Takulua added the conversion and then a penalty to put the Falcons 16-10 ahead as St James’ Park roared its approval before he added another with 18 minutes remaining. Byron McGuigan's late try ensured a tense finale but Newcastle held on. All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility