RELIEVED number eight Matt Kvesic conceded his Exeter Chiefs side were “lucky” to leave Sixways victorious.

The former Worcester Warriors star scored on his return to his old club as Exeter overcame a 17-3 deficit to win 24-20 in the Gallagher Premiership on Sunday.

But Kvesic, who came through Worcester’s academy before his departure in 2013, praised Warriors’ physicality as they made life difficult for Chiefs.

“Fair play to Worcester,” Kvesic told BT Sport.

“That was really tough and if I am honest we are probably lucky to come away with a win.

“We upped our tempo in the second half and last 20 (minutes).

“But we got lucky there.

“Worcester were physical so you have to credit their line-speed and they were great in attack so we never got on the front foot in defence and we just couldn’t catch a cold.

“We dropped every other ball.

“We were not as clinical as we normally are and probably haven’t been for the past couple of games so there is a lot to work on.

“But four points away from home is not to be sniffed at.”

Kvesic, an ex-Worcester Sixth Form College student, registered Exeter’s second try on 64 minutes before 32 phases of attacking pressure resulted in prop Harry Williams going over for the match-winning score late on.

“There are positives to take from the last 20 as we like going through the phases and keeping hold of the ball,” added the 27-year-old.

“They did drive us back but we stayed patient and got there in the end.

“That’s what we are about so we just need to get back to doing the basics well.”