Worcester secured Premiership survival with a 27-20 win over Gloucester.

Duncan Weir's two early penalties were separated by a Henry Purdy try for Gloucester before the Scot converted his own try to give the hosts the lead.

But a Billy Twelvetrees penalty and a well-worked Willi Heinz try saw the visitors take the lead at half-time.

Niall Annett's try put Worcester in front before Darren Barry extended their lead as they dominated the second period, before Purdy got one back.

The victory leaves Worcester 11 points clear of bottom side Newcastle with 10 left to play for, while the losing bonus point ensures that Gloucester will finish in the top four.

Newcastle's only hope of avoiding relegation - and a remote one at that - is to overhaul Leicester, who are nine points ahead of the Falcons with two games remaining.

Gloucester had good possession throughout the first half, but struggled to find a clinical finish after Purdy's 11th-minute try from a line-out.

Perry Humphreys' break through the Cherry and Whites defence set up Weir to go over under the posts for Worcester's opener.

The hosts almost held out under great Gloucester pressure on their try-line before a fine move in the backs sent Heinz over between the sticks to give Gloucester a 15-13 half-time lead.

Worcester impressed after the break - Annett finding the base of the post after a period of pressure while Barry bravely went over soon after.

That followed three minutes of the Warriors bashing away at the Gloucester line, then Ethan Waller's excellent football skills set up the ruck from which Barry scored.

Purdy's second came after some silky passing from the Gloucester backs, Charlie Sharples sending a long final pass out for his fellow winger to dot down on the left.

Gloucester had an opportunity to reduce the arrears in the final minute, but Jason Woodward dropped a pass when he had a chance to go through the home defence, to the relief of the Sixways crowd.

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons:

"I felt it was important that we put it to bed. It was a fantastic performance, and a brilliant defensive performance as well. When we perform well, we give ourselves every prospect of the result.

"(Scrum-half) Francois (Hougaard) was unbelievable. You are reluctant to single people out, but he was absolutely exceptional in defence.

"It was absolutely vital we kept things in our own hands. The players would have known exactly the situation, and I just felt if we played really well and were emotionally there, the rest would hang together.

"The competition is an incredibly tight one. All the teams have got good players who are well prepared and well coached, and on any given day, any team can beat anyone else."

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann:

"Like I have constantly said, when people started to get carried away after we had a good run, we are still not there.

"There are times when we don't play as well, and today just showed it.

"Saracens are the best side in this competition, in my view. To be competitive in Europe and competitive in the Premiership, there must be something special about them.

"And if we don't want to be just a number, we have to be better than what we are."

Worcester Warriors: Pennell; Humphreys, Venter, Te'o, Adams; Weir, Hougaard; Waller, Annett, Schonert, Bresler, Barry, Mama, Lewis, Du Preez.

Replacements: Singleton, Black, Milasinovich, Fatialofa, Kitchener, Hill, Heaney, Lance.

Gloucester: Banahan; Sharples, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Purdy; Cipriani, Heinz (capt); Rapava Ruskin, Marais, Denman; Slater, Mostert; Ackermann, Polledri, Morgan.

Replacements: Sherry, Hohneck, Balmain, Kriel, Ludlow, Braley, Evans, Woodward.

Referee: JP Doyle.

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