The visitors conceded a try in the opening minute of the game and trailed 27-14 with just 20 minutes remaining but were chasing victory in a frantic closing spell.
“We battled and battled, and it was set up for a grand finale, but we fell just short,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill.
“There was a massive effort from both sides. Gloucester are a good side, they’ve proved that this year, but fair play to our boys for staying in the game when it could have run away from us and for still being in with a shout of the win right at the death.”
After Freddie Burns converted the first-minute score by wing Charlie Sharples, Tigers got back into the game with a smart finish on the right by Scott Hamilton. A Burns try gave the home side a 17-8 lead before a penalty from Toby Flood brought Tigers back within reach at half-time.
Akapusa Qera grabbed a third try for Gloucester as the lead reached 13 points, but Tigers roared back and dominated the last 20 minutes, claiming a penalty try, seeing two Gloucester players in the sin-bin and pushing desperately for the decisive score before referee JP Doyle brought the game to a close.
“They played well, I thought we played well and it was a classic game of rugby,” said Cockerill.
“Gloucester scored two tries with a bit of skill but the third try was a disappointing one for us. But our guys really manned-up, we got back in at and put them under huge pressure.
“I thought Gloucester defended very well but there were some harsh calls from the officials. I don’t know how many times we got penalties close to their line before someone went to the bin. That is frustrating.
“Maybe we gave a few soft points away at times but we were still in there with a shout of winning it at the end. We couldn’t have worked any harder.
“It’s disappointing and there are bits to work on but we will stay positive.”
Scrum-half Ben Youngs was a late withdrawal from the line-up with a tight hamstring, while Jordan Crane and Logovi’i Mulipola were both replaced after taking knocks in the first half. Geordan Murphy and Louis Deacon, though, made their first starting appearances after injury.
“We’ll see how they come through, take stock and then start preparing for Northampton,” said Cockerill.
Tigers host Northampton Saints on Saturday (2.15pm). A small number of returned tickets remain on sale from the Tigers ticket office for this fixture. Phone 0844 856 1880, call in at Welford Road or book online to secure your place at the first East Midlands derby match of the season.
