THE failure to keep 15 players on the pitch for 80 minutes proved crucial to Worcester Warriors’ 30-26 downfall in a high-octane clash with promotion rivals Bristol at Sixways.

But injuries to England full-back Chris Pennell and player-of-the-month Max Stelling were more concerning with Warriors starting their Championship play-off bid at London Scottish on Saturday.

Stelling has been one of Warriors’ star men this term and appeared to leave the pitch clutching a leg after racing over for Worcester’s opening try.

And Pennell received lengthy treatment before leaving the fray after a collision in front of the East Stand.

Bristol rested big-name players like Gavin Henson, Matthew Morgan, David Lemi and Dwayne Peel, who was punching the air in delight at the final whistle.

Fly-half Ryan Lamb was outstanding for Worcester and finished with 16 points, while Cooper Vuna was a handful and scored a second- half try.

Bristol were clinical when they got into Worcester’s 22 and fought back from 23-10 down after Vuna was needlessly sin-binned.

The Australian wing was involved in a tangle with Auguy Slowik after the ball had gone and was shown a yellow card – albeit a soft one.

While Vuna was off the field, tries from Ben Mosses and Charlie Amesbury, both converted by Nicky Robinson, transformed the contest and put Bristol 24-23 ahead.

Warriors lost Jonathan Thomas to the sin-bin soon afterwards before Lamb’s penalty nudged the hosts 26-24 ahead with six minutes remaining.

But Robinson, who kicked 15 points, slotted two late penalties to sentence Worcester to a first Championship home defeat of the season.

The game highlighted just how quickly momentum can swing because when Lamb’s penalty after 52 minutes swept Worcester into a 23-10 lead there appeared no way back for the visitors.

Ryan will be pleased with how his set-piece functioned during the contest – Ryan Bower, Niall Annett and Nick Schonert had the upper hand over their rival front row for long periods.

And Worcester’s line-out was excellent with Annett accurate with his throws.

The hosts, however, missed some tackles as the ferocity of Bristol’s forward play and speed at the breakdown initially knocked Worcester back.

Bristol took the lead with a converted try on eight minutes when Slowik scored out wide.

But Worcester hit back almost immediately after Lamb threw a slick pass to Stelling who powered down the right flank and dived fulllength to score.

Lamb added the conversion but Stelling played no further part in the match and was replaced.

Lamb landed two penalties – and was off target with another – as Worcester opened up a 13-7 advantage at the break.

Vuna’s early second-half try was converted by Lamb to put Worcester 20-7 to the good.

Robinson’s first penalty closed the gap to 20- 10 before Vuna’s yellow card, followed by Pennell’s departure, gave Bristol a lifeline and they took it.

But on the evidence of both matches this season – which Bristol have edged by four points on each occasion – there is little to choose between the clubs.