MARK Tainton will become Bristol's chief operating officer from next season when Pat Lam replaces him as head coach but was frustrated with the first-half display as his side went down 39-27 at home to Newcastle.

Bristol finished with a try bonus point but only after Newcastle had romped into the lead.

The Falcons were 18-3 up at the break, and Tainton said: "I'm disappointed to have lost a game I was confident of winning. There is good spirit amongst the players.

"We made some mistakes in the first half which cost us dearly. We made wrong decisions but credit goes to the boys, they played to the very end and dealt well with what was a difficult game in a difficult season.

"The forwards played very well. We knew what to expect from Newcastle. It was our individual errors that gave them the opportunities and their back three was very good.”

It leaves Bristol relegated with just three wins from 22 matches in the Premiership although they are expected to be favourites to bounce straight back by topping the Championship table next season now that play-offs in that division have been scrapped.

Tainton added: "I am very proud to have coached Bristol as a Bristol person. We've learned that the Premiership is unforgiving and that if you make errors you will concede points."