DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons conceded Worcester Warriors had “made a rod for our own back” in their fight to retain their Gallagher Premiership status.

A victory at Kingston Park would have left Newcastle Falcons staring down the barrel at relegation and Warriors looking up the table.

But Worcester now have a battle on their hands after bottom club Falcons cut the gap to five points with a 17-6 win.

“If we had been successful there would have been daylight between the two teams ­— but we weren’t,” Solomons said.

“We have made a rod for our own back and have now got to work hard and play well.”

FIVE TALKING POINTS: Newcastle Falcons 17 Worcester Warriors 6

THE MATCH AS IT HAPPENED

Asked whether he felt Worcester were in a tussle for survival, Solomons said: “Absolutely.

“We are where we are and every single game is absolutely vital ­— perhaps even more so now.

“We need to deliver a performance every time we play but that performance was not good enough.”

Zach Kibirige scored the opening try inside the first six minutes before Toby Flood crossed to extend Newcastle’s lead to 17-6 at half-time.

Duncan Weir landed two penalties in the first period but Warriors failed to break down the home side’s defence in a scoreless second half.

Solomons admitted his side were “flat” but he was keen to give credit to an “energetic” Falcons team who notched their fourth win of the season.

“We were on the back foot from the off and certainly in the first half they brought more energy, more urgency and dominated the collisions,” Solomons said.

“We reacted to what was happening in front of us as opposed to taking the game to them.

“To some extent we could have prevented the two tries had we been strong system-wise but that’s the way it is.

“I felt they deserved to win the game on the day. They were the better side.

“Particularly in a game like this, giving away a try in the opening few minutes doesn’t help and you are 7-0 down.

“We did get back to 7-3 but they got a penalty straight away. We got it to 10-6 but the second try made things difficult.”

On the prospect of facing leaders Exeter Chiefs at Sixways on Saturday (3pm), Solomons added: “We have got to battle, that’s what the Premiership is about.

“We have got to take it one game at a time and that’s what the side has got to focus on.

“You can’t be on it one week and be off your game the next, that’s not going to help.

“There’s no better way to sharpen yourself up when you know that you have got to play Exeter next.

“The boys come back in on Tuesday and from there we have got to prepare.

“We have got a six-day turnaround which is less than normal but we have got to be ready for a really powerful team.”