POTENT wing Tom Howe continued his purple patch by scoring a last-gasp try that saw Worcester Warriors complete a hat-trick of victories over Leicester Tigers.

Replacement fly-half Tom Hardwick edged Tigers ahead with a 66th-minute penalty and they looked set to hold on as Warriors spurned chances late on.

But Worcester’s persistence paid off in the dying seconds as Howe gathered Chris Pennell’s pass to cross in the corner and increase his tally to nine tries in nine appearances.

The dramatic victory also lifts Warriors nine points clear of the Gallagher Premiership’s drop zone ahead of next Sunday’s bottom-of-the-table clash at Newcastle Falcons.

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WEIR HAS HALF TO FORGET

After scrum-half Francois Hougaard’s horror opening 40 minutes at The Stoop last weekend it was stand-off Duncan Weir’s turn to gift the opposition the lead.

Warriors looked set to score as they got within five-metres of the try-line with 10 minutes left of the first half.

But Weir’s pass was intercepted by wing Jonah Holmes who sprinted almost the length of the field to score.

Weir has been a reliable kicker for Worcester but his mistake appeared to knock his confidence as he twice pushed kicks wide.

It was later revealed that the Scot was on pain-killers due to an issue with his kicking leg so you have got to give him credit for plugging away and he punched the air with delight when he converted Howe’s try from out wide.

TMO GOES IN WARRIORS’ FAVOUR

Leicester thought they had extended their lead on 18 minutes when Jordan Olowofela strode through for a try.

But after referee Craig Maxwell-Keys reviewed the score with television match official David Rose it was found that Kyle Eastmond’s pass to Gareth Owen in the build-up was marginally forward.

Warriors were then let off the hook again in the final moments of the first half.

Ben White went over but after several checks Maxwell-Keys chalked the try off as centre Owen was deemed to have obstructed Weir.

They were two tight calls but rightly went against Tigers and proved to be decisive.

To make matters worse for Leicester another TMO decision went Warriors’ way at the start of the period as replays revealed Francois Hougaard managed to ground the ball.

WARRIORS PULL OFF ANOTHER LATE SHOW

Alan Solomons’ side are making a habit of these late comeback victories and it demonstrates their renewed belief once again.

Facing a three-point deficit going into the final four minutes Worcester could have looked to have tied the game as Tigers were twice penalised in kickable positions.

Worcester chose to set up attacking lineouts as they went for the win. This mentality looked like it was going to come back to haunt them as Tigers shut them out.

But Warriors, who have come from behind to beat Bath, Ospreys and Stade Francais in 2019, do not know when they are beaten.

After Leicester were pinged again Warriors played the advantage, moved the ball wide and Howe was on hand to score the match-winning try.

WING TAKING HIS CHANCES

Howe has had to bide his chance for a start in the Premiership and he grasped it with both hands.

With Josh Adams set to return to Warriors this week after scoring the try that dashed England’s hopes in the Six Nations it’s difficult not to see the Wales ace tackling Falcons.

But Howe did all he could to retain his place as he ran hard, made several breaks down the right wing and showed his finishing skills with a superb dive for the line at the death.

There were also fine performances from number eight Marco Mama, hooker Jack Singleton and lock Anton Bresler who overcame a sickness bug to play.

A HUGE VICTORY IN FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

With relegation rivals Newcastle slipping to a 35-17 defeat at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, Warriors were presented with the opportunity to pull further clear.

Worcester had already beaten Tigers twice at Welford Road, winning 44-37 in the league and 31-12 in the Premiership Cup.

Leicester were smarting from those losses and came within a minute of gaining revenge over Solomons’ side.

But Worcester battled back to secure a morale-boosting victory that establishes a nine-point gap between themselves and Falcons.