Bristol may have shown little regard for the European Shield despite making the semi-finals, but their desire to become the Allied Dunbar's wild-card entry into next season's Heineken Cup was only too evident last night, nerves increasing their vulnerability.

London Irish took the lead with a try after six minutes when Junior Tonu jinked into space, Mark Gabey took the direct route and his fellow back-rower Rob Gallacher twisted his way under the posts.

Bristol replied with a try following a penalty and a lineout, Garath Archer taking the catch and the prop Leighton Gerrard able to measure his run to the line in centimetres. Two penalties by Jarrod Cunnigham gave Irish a 13-5 lead.

Bristol took advantage when Ryan went over from a scrum, but when they conceded their 14th penalty of the half in stoppage time, Cunningham stretched his side's lead to four points.

Bristol took the lead with a try by the substitute Matthew Back, but London Irish replied with a soft try by Gabey.

Penalties by Gareth Bowen and Honiball restored Bristol's lead, Cunningham's fourth penalty put London Irish back ahead and as the rain fell the home side poured on the pressure, Honiball's second penalty securing victory.

Scorers: Bristol: Tries: Gerrard, Ryan, Back. Conversions: Honiball 2. Penalties: Honiball 2, Bowen. London Irish: Tries: Gallacher, Gabey. Conversions: Cunningham 2. Penalties: Cunningham 4.

Bristol: Best; Rees, Simone, Mayer (Back, 47min), Brown; Honiball, Pichot; Gerrard (Johnstone, 65), Williams, Lemoine; Archer, Sheridan; Salter, Vander (Short, 69), Ryan (capt).

London Irish: Cunningham; Bishop, Rivaro, Todd, Campbell (Horak, 61); Bachop, Tonu'u; Worsley (N Hatley, 65), Kirke (capt), Fullman; Strudwick, Harvey; Gabey (Hunter, 65), Mower, Gallacher.

Referee: C White (Cheltenham).