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Newcastle Falcons (28) 31

Tries: Hearle, Fletcher, Grayson, Lockwood Cons: Connon (4) Pen: Connon

Doncaster Knights (0) 28

Tries: McVie, Currie, Edwards, Veainu Cons: Bennett (4)

Newcastle Falcons survived a second-half comeback by Championship visitors Doncaster Knights to continue their perfect start to their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a second win in the competition at Kingston Park.

The bottom club in the Premiership scored four tries before half-time on their way to their third win in four games in all competitions, although Steve Diamond's side had to contend with the late loss of Ben Stevenson through illness and the wing's replacement, Jack Metcalf, during the warm-up.

The hosts took a 17th-minute lead through Alex Hearle, who won the competition last season with Gloucester.

Ollie Fletcher added another four minutes later from a maul and Ethan Grayson completed an impressive move to put Newcastle firmly on course for victory inside 30 minutes.

Forward Freddie Lockwood, who scored on his 50th appearance in the Falcons' 33-12 win at Caldy in their competition opener eight days earlier, ensured a bonus point just before half-time, with Brett Connon converting for a fourth time.

Doncaster, who replaced Jordan Olowofela with Maliq Holden because of illness before kick-off, replied when substitute Euan McVie was fed by Morgan Strong shortly after coming on before Russell Bennett added the extras in the 52nd minute.

After Fletcher was sin-binned for killing a ruck, Tom Currie's try and Bennett's conversion meant a Connon penalty from 30 metres was a source of relief for Newcastle.

The hosts had to hold on during a nervy finale after Connor Edwards charged over from 20 metres and Telusa Veainu darted in to add Knights' fourth try. Bennett converting both to reduce the deficit to three for the final eight minutes.

Knights had pushed Sale Sharks hard in a 43-37 away defeat on 1 November, but have now lost both of their Pool A matches as part of a four-game losing run.