DEAN Richards insists Newcastle Falcons will be taking nothing for granted despite enjoying a healthy advantage ahead of next week's play-off final decider with Bedford.

Falcons will be defending an 18-9 lead at Kingston Park on Wednesday after Jimmy Gopperth's six successful penalties proved decisive on Thursday evening.

Given that they have only suffered one defeat to Championship opposition all season, Newcastle will be strong favourites to secure a return to the Aviva Premiership when they line up in four days time.

However, Richards has warned his players that nothing has been accomplished yet and is determined to guard against complacency creeping in.

"The nine-point advantage means nothing at all," said the Falcons director of rugby. "We will go into Wednesday's game with the same attitude as the first leg.

"It is all about being one point ahead of Bedford at the end of the tie, and that is what it is all about. The players know what is at stake, and we'll be well prepared."

Falcons dominated the majority of Thursday's first leg despite falling behind in the sixth minute.

Gopperth's four first-half penalties gave them the upper hand at the interval, and the only real disappointment is that the North-Easterners were unable to run in a try as they continued to dominate after the break.

Richards was satisfied with his side's performance, but claims there is considerable room for improvement when the sides reconvene next week.

"We said we were going to put on a workmanlike performance, which is exactly what we did," he said. "I was a little bit disappointed we didn't finish off some of the opportunities we created, but to go back for the home leg with a nine-point lead, I have to be reasonably happy.

"However, you shouldn't look at the score, you should look at the performance. If we do that, we should actually be quite disappointed, especially with our finishing. We were nowhere near clinical enough in that, and that is where we have got to improve.

"We struggled with our line-out a little bit during the first half, but John Wells (coach) and the boys sorted it out in the changing room. That improved during the second half."

* Tickets are still available for Wednesday's play-off final second leg with Bedford at Kingston Park by calling the Falcons ticket hotline on 0871 226 6060.