Yet Gloucester gave it their best shot and can be proud of the effort put in on the night ,with a feeling of frustration after the game that they hadn't managed to secure a losing point at the very least.

In fact, having gone into the half time break level at 13 points apiece, it seemed like a job well done in the first half and that the scene was set for a strong second half performance.

However, the weather took a real turn for the worse after the interval and Gloucester were playing into the teeth of it and struggled to work their way out of the their half.

Gloucester went behind to an early Waisea Luveniyali penalty and were then caught napping as Luveniyali's chip over the defensive line was gathered by Suka Hufanga who scored under the posts.

There was a defiant response though as Tim Taylor's clean break cut open the home defence and a long pass put Steph Reynolds in for the score.

Two penalties from Taylor and one from Luveniyali saw the teams deadlocked at 13-13 at half time.

As conditions worsened, a strong finish by Samoan international Jamie Helleur restored the lead for the Falcons while Reynolds was a whisker away from scoring his second as he so nearly latched on to his own kick ahead.

The key score came on 65 minutes though as Dario Chistolini was sinbinned and the home pack took full advantage by scoring a penalty try.

Gloucester still weren't done and, when Elliott Stooke touched down following a strong rolling maul, the comeback was still on the cards until a late penalty from Luveniyali closed the door.