London Irish registered their first victory at Kingsholm for eight seasons as defending champions Gloucester were sent crashing out of the Powergen Cup in a thrilling sixth-round clash.

The Exiles continue to be this term's surprise package after climbing to third in the Zurich Premiership and they carried that form into today's cup tie, booking their place in the quarter-final of a competition they won in 2002.

First-half tries from Paul Sackey (2) and Geoff Appleford did the damage as Irish took their chances in ruthless fashion, amassing a commanding 25-12 interval lead which they thoroughly deserved.

It was only the boot of Henry Paul which kept the Cherry and Whites in touch before the break, although Simon Amor's 45th-minute try appeared to have hauled the Powergen Cup holders back into the tie.

But the Exiles stuck to their task and added a fourth touchdown through winger Justin Bishop as Gloucester failed with a stirring late fightback which was sparked by Paul's 74th-minute converted try and carried on for eight minutes of injury time.

Paul was in inspirational form with the boot and did not miss a single shot at goal, but Barry Everitt had also brought his kicking shoes, landing four of his six efforts and adding a drop-goal for good measure.

Everitt's first penalty gave Irish an early lead as the visitors tore into their opponents from the first whistle but by the 11th minute Paul had levelled the score with a simple three points following a powerful run from Peter Buxton.

Irish went straight back onto the offensive, though, Michael Horak making the initial inroads with his chip-and-chase before the ball was recycled and swiftly fed right to winger Sackey, who crossed in the corner.

But indiscipline was proving costly to the Exiles, Paul nudging his side into a 9-8 lead with two easy penalties as Gloucester continued to pour forward - only for Irish to strike again in the 29th minute.

Hooker Chris Fortey knocked-on five yards out and Horak came up with the ball, jinking inside and out as he cruised up to his own 10-metre line before supplying the final pass to Sackey who outpaced Jon Goodridge to the line.

Two minutes later, the visitors notched their third try when flanker Declan Danaher carved open the Gloucester midfield following some good work at the lineout and fed centre Appleford, who touched down.

Everitt added both conversions and a penalty, sandwiching three points from Paul, to give Irish a commanding 25-12 half-time lead which their enterprising play thoroughly deserved.

But Gary Gold's side were caught napping five minutes after the interval - they committed barely a single forward to three consecutive breakdowns and by the third ruck scrum-half Amor had cottoned on, dashing up the middle unopposed to score.

Paul converted and James Simpson-Daniel looked to have opened up the Irish defence following a loose kick from Everitt, but the England winger could not escape the clutches of Appleford, who nailed his man.

Gloucester went in search of the score which would sweep them into the quarter-finals but were left exposed at the back and the Exiles took full advantage with Nick Kennedy sent winger Bishop over.

Everitt added the extras but the Cherry and Whites hauled themselves back into the match with a 73rd-minute converted try from Paul, only for Everitt to then produce a sweetly-struck drop-goal.

Paul struck back with an injury-time penalty to take Gloucester within a converted try of their opponents but the desired touchdown never arrived as Irish held on for their spot in the last eight.

Teams

Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Amor, Roncero, Fortey, Deacon, Cornwell, Brown, Boer, Merryman, Buxton, Eustace.

Replacements: Page for McRae (67), Wood for Roncero (41), Eustace for Cornwell (53), Narraway for Eustace (60).

Not Used: Collins, Olver, Frape.

Tries: Amor, Paul.

Cons: Paul 2.

Pens: Paul 5.

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Appleford, Hoadley, Bishop, Everitt, Edwards, Hatley, Flavin, Durant, Kennedy, Casey, Danaher, Dawson, Murphy.

Replacements: Barrett for Edwards (67), Wheatley for Durant (63), Thrower for Murphy (80).

Not Used: Drotske, Burke, Gustard, Cannon.

Tries: Sackey 2, Appleford, Bishop.

Cons: Everitt 3.

Pens: Everitt 2.

Drop Goals: Everitt.

Att: 4,812

Ref: G Ashton-Jones (RFU).