Exeter head coach Susie Appleby says her side were not good enough as they lost 31-27 to champions Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women's Rugby.

Gloucester built a 19-0 lead but Exeter pulled it back and led 27-26 before Mia Venner's 74th-minute try.

"We know we're a good side, but we didn't show it enough today," Appleby told BBC Radio Devon after the loss.

"We didn't keep enough continuity in the game and we didn't keep pressure on them enough and then you come out on the wrong side.

"But we'll learn from that and it's what we do next that's the most important thing."

The loss was the first suffered by Exeter in four league games this season and sees them sit second in the table thanks to two losing bonus points.

They are three points off leaders Saracens with Gloucester fourth, three points behind with a game in hand.

"Every point is crucial, two points is massive," Appleby added. "They take five away, we get two, we're back in the fight next week and it's a long season.

"It's how many points you have at the end of the season, not right now, so we'll be positive because we need to be.

"People put themselves out there this afternoon, so there's question marks around selection for next week, which is good, because we need to keep the competition in the squad."