Leaders Gloucester reeled off their 15th successive Zurich Premiership home victory, but were made to work hard for the points by a determined London Irish outfit.

Irish, 10 places and 23 points below Gloucester before kick-off, caused a few flutters among another bumper 10,000-plus Kingsholm crowd.

On several occasions, Gloucester looked to have made the game safe, but a second-half try double from Irish wing Paul Sackey kept the visitors within striking distance.

In the end, Irish had to settle for nothing more than a bonus point, but relief was tangible around Kingsholme as Gloucester knew this hadn't been one of their better days.

Gloucester would have targeted a five-point maximum from today's encounter, and when referee Robin Goodliffe awarded them a penalty try nine minutes from time, their prospects looked good.

Irish though finished on top, underlined when speed merchant Sackey sprinted around Henry Paul for a dazzling solo score that fly-half Barry Everitt converted.

Unfortunately for the visitors, there was not enough time left to test Gloucester further, yet they can take great encouragement from such a battling performance.

Gloucester struck first with a 14th-minute try when their skipper Jake Boer was driven over from a lineout for a try that fly-half Ludovic Mercier converted, and the Frenchman then exchanged penalties with Everitt.

Despite dominating in terms of territory, Gloucester couldn't increase their lead before the break and they also lost Boer when he limped off injured in the 32nd minute.

Gloucester's England and Lions prop Phil Vickery appeared off the bench in the second half, and within eight minutes of the restart, number eight Junior Paramore dived over for another try.

Gloucester now had the incentive to move up a gear, but they were hampered when hooker Olivier Azam was sinbinned for a professional foul.

Irish took maximum advantage while Azam was off the field, scoring 10 points, comprising of a Sackey try, a penalty and conversion from Everitt.

Mercier's second penalty meant that Gloucester held a 5-point advantage entering the final 10 minutes, and that lead was increased when Goodliffe decided on a penalty try.

Gloucester scrum half Andy Gomarsall had the ball stolen from him by an offside Irish defender, and there was no question that the official had made a correct decision.

Gloucester went in search of an all-important fourth try, but it was Irish who had the final save when Sackey had far too much pace for Paul.

Gloucester:

Paul, Delport, Fanolua, Todd, Beim, Mercier, Gomarsall, Roncero, Azam, Deacon, Fidler, Eustace, Boer, Forrester, Paramore.

Not Used: Stuart-Smith, Catling, Garvey, Elloway, Vickery, Rimmer, Buxton.

Tries: Boer, Paramore, Penalty.

Cons: Mercier 2.

Pens: Mercier 2.

Sin Bin: Azam (60).

London Irish:

Horak, Sackey, Burrows, Venter, Bishop, Everitt, Edwards, Worsley, Drotske, Halford, Strudwick, Kennedy, Gustard, Danaher, Sheasby.

Not Used: Barrett, Mapletoft, Cockle, Flavin, Delaney, Hatley, Hardwick.

Tries: Sackey 2.

Cons: Everitt 2.

Pens: Everitt 2.

Att: 10,217

Ref: Rob Goodliffe (RFU).