Dan McKellar's Leicester has survived one of the wilder Premiership finishes in recent memory to defeat Newcastle 19-13.
The Tigers were reduced to 12 men in the closing stages of an extraordinary match that featured close to 20 minutes of additional time.
Catch every game of the English Premiership LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
Brett Connon kicked Newcastle into an early lead before England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet scored on his return for Leicester.
Ben Redshaw crowned an excellent Newcastle back-line move by slicing through the Leicester defence for a well-taken try before the Tigers responded with one of their own from Argentina star Julian Montoya.
Connon's penalty restored the Falcons' narrow lead to the delight of the Kingston Park faithful.
But Ollie Hassell-Collins sped down the left wing for Leicester's third try and the Tigers held on despite late yellow cards for Charlie Clare, Freddie Steward, and James Whitcombe.
The infringements helped extend the game long enough for England full-back Steward, sin-binned in the 84th minute, to return for the final minutes.
Newcastle forced a succession of late scrum penalties inside Leicester's 22 but could not breach the Tigers' defence as they won the key penalty.
It allowed Handre Polland to boot the ball into touch as the clock was about to hit three figures.
Meanwhile, Northampton bounced back from a humiliating loss to extend their lead at the top of the English Premiership with a 41-30 win over reigning champions Saracens on Friday.
The Saints put last week's Bristol defeat behind them in fine style by running in five tries against Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.
They surged into an early 17-0 lead through early scores from Alex Coles and James Ramm before Saracens hit back to reduce the hosts' advantage to seven points at the break through a try from Theo McFarland.
But Northampton produced a fine second-half display as Ramm, England wing Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme all crossed Saracens' line.
The visitors did see England No 8 Ben Earl go over for a try and two late scores from Alex Lewington meant they left the East Midlands with a bonus point.
