Worcester have become the draw specialists of the Guinness Premiership in recent times but Gloucester will wonder why on earth they had to rely on a last minute try to snatch a try when they had enjoyed so much possession and territory throughout the game.

In the first half in particular, Gloucester seemed able to carve open the visitors' defence at will yet simply couldn't get the ball over the line after a dream start with an early score from Akapusi Qera.

The frequent forays into the Worcester 22 seemed set to result in a number of tries yet a combination of errors and gallant Worcester defence kept the game close.

A second score would have given Gloucester breathing space but it stayed close and therefore a dogfight.

In fact, the visitors could well have left with the win as they caught Gloucester cold with two scores of their own before half time and then defended their own line with passion.

Bryan Redpath's men dominated the second period as they sought to get back on terms and, despite numerous opportunities, it looked as though the points were heading to Sixways until Attwood's late intervention.

A draw snatched from the jaws of defeat or a victory that should have been clinched long before the final few moments? Probably both...

Worcester were forced into two late changes as Sam Tuitupou and Tevite Taumoepeau were both illness victims. Alex Grove and Olivier Sourgens stepped in. Gloucester were as announced.

Named in the Worcester line up was former Gloucester favourite Chris Fortey and it took all of 90 seconds before he was involved in a dust up after a set scrum!

Gloucester made a bright start with Lesley Vainikolo and Charlie Sharples both getting two early touches as the ball was moved wide with pace. The Worcester defence held but, at the expense of a penalty. Unfortunately, Nicky Robinson was off target.

However, Kingsholm was lifted moments later as the returning Akapusi Qera burst off a set scrum to intercept Jonny Arr's pass and gleefully run in the game's opening score. Robinson was again wide of the mark but Gloucester were off and running with a 5 nil lead after 8 minutes.

Robinson then scythed through the Worcester backline and a second score looked on the cards but, despite three men outside him, the pass didn't quite go to hand and the chance was gone.

Worcester then gave Gloucester a bit of a scare as Lesley Vainikolo wan back towards his own line to chase a kick through but Rico Gear came up on his blindside to kick ahead only for the ball to run dead.

Lengthy treatment for Chris Latham held up play before Worcester forced a turnover in the Gloucester 22 and a period of pressure resulted in a penalty for Willie Walker.

Gloucester came back strongly and another line break from Robinson seemed set to put Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu in for a try. But the Samoan's reach wasn't quite long enough and a miraculous turnover right on the goal line saved the day for Worcester.

The Worcester defence was at full stretch but just holding and the ever reliable left foot of Latham was kicking to touch well.
If anything, Gloucester were guilty of being over elaborate as they sought to finish off the half chances and Worcester were certainly adept at slowing the ball down where possible.

And, Worcester made them pay on the half hour, as a turnover led to good field position. The pack did the hard work to move towards the line before Worcester went blindside and the unamrked Rico Gear touched down to give Worcester a 5-8 lead.

Gloucester pressed hard again but to no avail and lost Charlie Sharples to injury as half time approached before another turnover almost resulted in an unlikely length of the field score for Tom Wood with Molenaar and Robinson just getting back to make a double tackle.

Olly Morgan had to carry over resulting in a 5m scrum for Worcester. As time expired, Gloucester conceded two penalties for collapsing and received a warning from referee Richards before Jonny Arr spotted a gap on the blindside and dived in for Worcester's second try.

It had been a bizarre half of rugby. Gloucester had been so dominant that a hatful of tries had looked on the cards.

Yet Worcester soaked up all the pressure and then gave out a lesson in taking chances, scoring two tries in their two visits to the Gloucester 22.

The longer Gloucester had gone looking for that crucial second score, the more the tension rose and Worcester seemed to take great heart from holding out.

Kingsholm was restless at the interval and a big second half display was needed.

Gloucester needed a good start and got one as Worcester dropped the restart. Home pressure led to Worcester coming up offside and Robinson kicked his first points of the afternoon to reduce the gap to 8-13.

Gloucester had come to life and smart hands down the left almost put Olly Morgan clear before Tim Molenaar's break forced a deliberate knock on from Worcester but Robinson scuffed his kick wide.

Molenaar's hard running was becoming increasingly influential and the Worcester defence was once again at panic stations but still they held putting bodies on the line with sant disregard for personal wellbeing.

On 56 minutes, Gloucester thought they'd made the breakthrough but were called back for crossing to the horror of the 16,000+ crowd.

Olivier Azam entered the fray to a hero's welcome alongside Luke Narraway but it was Molenaar who again so nearly opened Worcester up. His offload found Lesley Vainikolo but Chris Latham made a try saving tackle.

Azam's contribution sadly only lasted three minutes as he left with a blood injury and the tension went up another notch as referee Richards called back another Gloucester attacking move for crossing.

The penalty led to a lineout and a catch and drive which Gloucester were adjudged to have pulled down but Willie Walker dragged his kick wide to the relief of the Shed as the ultimate sucker punch was avoided.

With just a few minutes remaining, Carlos Spencer was sent on to try and conjure up a win and he was soon spinning the left and right before a flighted cross kick almost put in Olly Morgan. It was another case of so near but yet so far.

Just when you thought Gloucester would never score, one final attack gave Dave Attwood a glimpse of the line and the big second row dived over to level the scores.

Spencer had the chance to be the hero. The Shed was hushed as he lined up the touchline conversion but his kick faded just wide to bring matters to a close.