Marcelo Loffreda has been forced to admit a successful Guinness Premiership title defence is no longer Leicester's main focus.

The Tigers fell to a shock 28-25 defeat at Newcastle yesterday and qualification for the Premiership play-offs is now out of their hands.

Leicester must beat fourth-placed Harlequins next Saturday to stand a chance - but under-pressure Loffreda is more concerned with securing a top-five finish and Heineken Cup qualification.

Loffreda said: "Mathematically, we still have a chance of the play-offs - but realistically our main aim now is to qualify for Europe again next season."

Loffreda is under pressure following a disappointing first season in charge and strong rumours of discontent within the camp.

South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White has been linked with a move to Welford Road.

But Loffreda said: "I am confident we are going in the right direction."

Newcastle took a 10-0 lead with a converted try from Andy Long and Jonny Wilkinson penalty before Leicester hit back to move ahead with scores from Jordan Cane and Tom Varndell.

Newcastle resumed control with a try from Phil Dowson before Leicester staged a late rally and Varndell scored his second of the game.

Leicester had a chance to equalise with a penalty in the last minute but opted for territory in search of the winning try and came up short.

It was a remarkable win for Newcastle, who had lost their previous eight games and are in a state of upheaval following confirmation England backs Toby Flood and Mathew Tait will leave at the end of the season.

"I'm very, very proud of the team. It was a big win for us," said director of rugby Steve Bates.

While Newcastle were ending their losing streak, Wasps' eight-game winning run was brought to a halt as Gloucester clinched a play-off place.

Gloucester's 25-17 victory at Adams Park - their first away win over Wasps in 18 years - leaves them on the brink of a home semi-final.

It will be secured on Wednesday night if Wasps fail to collect maximum points from their game in hand against Newcastle.

Gloucester surged into an early 12-0 lead with tries from James Simpson-Daniel and Mike Tindall before Wasps hit back with the first of two tries from Raphael Ibanez.

Gloucester pulled 22-10 clear with a try from Olly Morgan shortly after the interval. Ibanez struck again to set up a grandstand finish but Wasps were eventually denied a losing bonus point by Ryan Lamb's late penalty.

That saw Wasps slip out of the top four but with Newcastle and Leeds to come in the next six days, captain Lawrence Dallaglio is convinced they will reach the play-offs.

"We will make the play-offs, make no mistake about that," he said.

Sale moved above Wasps into fourth place with a 23-16 victory over Harlequins - but only after surviving a late wobble.

Tries from Richard Wigglesworth and Andy Vilk put Sale 23-11 clear but they were reduced to 13 men for a period in the second half when Andrew Sheridan and Juan Fernandez Lobbe were sin-binned.

Danny Care scored for Quins but Sale clung on to victory, and boss Philippe Saint Andre said: "We deserved to win. We showed the character we needed because it's never easy to come to a top-four side and win."

London Irish bounced back from last weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final defeat against Toulouse by running seven tries past relegated Leeds Carnegie.

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