Leicester Tigers finally found their stripes up in Newcastle, winning only their seventh - but possibly most vital - game of the season.
The victory, thanks to two Guy Thompson tries and one from Jonny May will surely see them survive a shock relegation.
They are not out of the woods yet, still down in ninth, but by beating Newcastle can finally breathe one of the biggest sighs of relief in their history.
Leicester Tigers recorded a crucial seventh win of the season at Newcastle
The Falcons battled on to the last, but were denied, despite superb showings from Tane Takulua - who took 17 of their points, Mark Wilson, Rodney Ah You and Simon Hammersley.
There was a late scare for Leicester and England, though, as Manu Tuilagi went off with eight minutes left holding his hamstring.
Geordan Murphy said it was just cautionary to take the centre off inside the final 10 minutes.
Guy Thompson scored twice as Leicester edged towards Premiership survival
'Manu had a tight hamstring,' he said.
'We don't know whether it was cramp or something pinged but he has had issues with his hamstrings before so we will look after him.' And Murphy once again insisted Leicester will not limp to the drop now.
'I never felt we were going to go down,' he added.
'You don't want to sound complacent but I don't think we are going to down, and there will be a few more surprises in this Premiership.
'We are too good of a side to even think about that. I never said to the boys we were looking down, it's not something we've thought of. We are looking up. Hopefully that will spur us on.' With no away win all season, minus 151 points difference, 69 tries and 532 points conceded this season - all the worst in the league - Leicester were listing before this one.
Leicester Tigers celebrate after Thompson scores their second try of the evening
But after half an hour all that hand-wringing and brow-furrowing seemed so misplaced. Tigers were in control, 13-0 up and perhaps for the first time this season looked good and felt comfortable.
The quality - so lacking for large swathes of this season - came from Thompson and May. The flanker made a burst down the right wing after 17 minutes and flicked a stupendous offload out the back of his hand to the on-rushing May.
The Tiger went skipping past two defenders all the way home, and Ford
