Leicester Tigers

Tigers fought back from 27-14 down going into the final quarter through a penalty try but were unable to make late pressure tell as they lost an away game in the Aviva Premiership for only the second time in 12 months.

There were three tries in the opening 20 minutes of a breathless game. Gloucester get off to a flying start through Charlie Sharples' first minute try, Scott Hamilton replied with his first of the season before Freddie Burns collected his kick ahead for an individual effort.

In the second half, James Simpson-Daniel's run from deep created a score for Akapusi Qera before Tigers capitalised on yellow cards for Jimmy Cowan and Rob Cook with a penalty try to set up a thrilling finale for the 15,110 spectators.

Tigers piled on the pressure in the closing stages but were unable to find a way through a well marshalled Gloucester defence as they lost an away game in the Aviva Premiership for the first time this season.

Tigers made a late change on their bench after Ben Youngs was ruled out with a tight hamstring. Sam Harrison replaced him at scrum-half with Patrick Phibbs coming on to the bench.

Tigers were captained by Geordan Murphy on his return from a knee injury while Louis Deacon made his first start since December after hamstring and shoulder injuries.

For Gloucester, Billy Twelvetrees made his first appearance against Tigers since his summer move to Kingsholm and scrum-half Cowan made his first Aviva Premiership start.

Gloucester got off to a flying start with a try inside the first minute. Twelvetrees won possession at the kick-off to put the hosts on the attack before Burns slid a grubber behind the Tigers defence for Sharples to score at the right corner.

Tigers responded through Toby Flood's fourth-minute penalty to put Leicester's first points on the board before Burns restored Gloucester's seven-point advantage in the eighth minute with his first penalty.

It was an open start to the game and Tigers hit back with a try of their own through Hamilton. Hamilton had plenty to do when he exchanged passes with Manu Tuilagi 18 metres out, but he managed to hold off Cowan and Ben Morgan and reach out to the right corner. Referee JP Doyle went to his television match official before awarding the try.

Jordan Crane was replaced by Ed Slater in the 19th minute and moments before Burns scored an excellent try for Gloucester. There looked little danger when the fly-half received possession on the Tigers 22, but he chipped over the onrushing defence before catching his kick to dot down next to the posts. Burns converted to put Gloucester 17-8 ahead.

At the other end, Burns had a clearing kick charged down by Harrison but when Flood pounced on the loose ball to launch a Tigers attack he was pinged for being offside.

Good work by the forwards gave Tigers a platform in the Gloucester 22 to launch Tuilagi and then Goneva, but the wing was whistled for holding on 10m out.

Burns took the penalty quickly with a cross-field kick for Sharples, but he was well tackled by Allen and Hamilton, and Murphy cleared to touch. Gloucester took the throw quickly and worked the ball to the left wing, where Qera knocked-on under pressure from Waldrom.

It was end-to-end stuff, and a lineout drive took Tigers under the Gloucester posts where the hosts went offside and Flood cut the deficit to 17-11.

Tigers ended the half with Tuilagi breaking the line and hacking ahead, but Morgan slid the ball into touch under pressure from the chasing Tuilagi and Goneva to signal half-time.

There were no changes to either side at half-time.

Flood made a threatening break early in the second period and put Murphy through a gap before Goneva was forced into touch 20m out.

Rob Cook and Simpson-Daniel then combined to take Gloucester back into Tigers' territory where Leicester were pinged for a high tackle. Burns' slotted the kick before a scrum penalty allowed Flood to add another three points for Tigers, who trailed 20-14 with 30 minutes left.

Simpson-Daniel then turned defence into attack for Gloucester with a brilliant run from deep in his own half through scattered defenders. It took him up to the Tigers 22 where he fixed last man Hamilton and found Qera on his outside for a run to the line. Burns converted to put Gloucester 27-14 ahead.

Tigers hit back with a catch and drive, which was dragged down by the hosts. They opted for another close-range lineout and when Cowan pulled it down he received a yellow card.

Tigers again secured possession at the lineout and this time Flood kicked cross-field for Goneva, but Cook slapped the ball into touch and he was also sent to the sin bin to leave the hosts with 13 men.

Tigers opted for the five-metre scrum and with the Gloucester pack under pressure, referee Doyle awarded the penalty try. Flood converted to leave Tigers 27-21 behind.

Gloucester steadied themselves by going through the phases and inching their way into Tigers' territory where Burns lined up the drop-goal but miscued his kick.

At the other end, a Murphy grubber found Goneva on the left but he was bundled into touch.

Cowan and Cook returned to the action with nine minutes remaining without further addition to the scores.

Tigers pressed again with a 5m lineout which was well defended by Gloucester, before Harrison knocked-on.

Tigers piled on the pressure at the end of the game with a 5m lineout and, when that was pulled down with time up, a scrum. However, the Gloucester defence, roared on by a packed shed, held firm to secure their first victory over Tigers in five meetings.