HEARTBROKEN back rower Matt Cox apologised to Worcester Warriors’ supporters on behalf of his team-mates and insisted: “It is our mess and we have got to sort it out.”

The long-serving forward came out of a sombre changing room to speak to the media after Warriors’ demoralising 17-6 defeat at relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

The result has given bottom club Falcons renewed hope of survival in the Gallagher Premiership and put Warriors back in trouble as they sit one place and five points above the drop zone.

Cox who came on as a replacement for the injured Marco Mama in the second half admitted his side had “let a lot of people down”.

“It would have been great to put (relegation fears) to bed and look up the table rather than down so it didn’t go to plan,” Cox said.

“For one reason or another it was our own undoing.

“It is our mess and we have got to sort it out.

“It is not like you don’t turn up for a rugby match and try.

“You put whatever you can into it so it is frustrating and a bit heart-breaking.

“This club has higher expectations and ambitions and we want to be aiming for those and not having to deal with a mad 80 minutes that is not going our way.

“We did not get what we needed from it to kick-start ourselves.

“We will go back and review what we have done as we have got to make it right.”

Asked why Warriors failed to spark in attack, Cox said: “I was on the bench and did not get a feel for it until I came on late on.

“We started to move the ball a little bit more in the second half.

“But I guess we will just have to watch the game back. There are smarter boys than me that are the decision makers and playmakers on the pitch that will look over it and give you a better answer.”

Warriors have not finished outside the Premiership’s bottom three since 2006 and have spent two seasons in the Championship in the past decade.

“Look at what we have done over this season as there have been games where we have competed against top outfits,” Cox said.

“Worcester have a history where we have had one or two games where we could have really kicked on.

“Even last season there were occasions where we could have put teams to bed and focused on where we want to go.

“It was a frustrating afternoon (at Newcastle) and a massive shame for the fans who travelled up. It would have been great to send them back with a win.”

Warriors now face a daunting clash against leaders Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (3pm) before visiting 10th-placed Bristol Bears two weeks later.

“We want to give the supporters something to cheer and not let them down,” Cox added.

“When we prepare for a game they are in the back of your mind and are one of your drivers.

“That’s why a lot of the boys put a lot of effort in.

“Sunday was not ideal and frustrating – we let a lot of people down.

“We are sorry and we have got to sort it out.”