Gloucester survived a close call against Cardiff to claim four crucial pool six points in a pulsating Heineken Cup clash at Kingsholm.

Fortified by two Terry Fanolua tries, Gloucester escaped the clutches of a superb Cardiff effort to keep the heat on pool leaders Stade Francais.

The alarming ease with which Fanolua evaded the Cardiff cover to steal a third-minute try suggested Gloucester were on their way to a thoroughly convincing victory.

Cardiff soon rallied to great effect, though.

The exceptional Robert Sidoli led the Blues' effort in the line-out; hooker Rhys Thomas and prop Tony Yapp were equally as effective in the loose, and Cardiff stunned Gloucester with a try which took them ahead after 17 minutes.

They recycled possession from a line-out, and Martyn Williams was involved in a move which put Rhys Williams through a dozing Cherry and White defence - and Tom Shanklin brushed off Henry Paul's tackle to take his pass and score.

Lee Thomas' conversion made it 10-7 to Cardiff - and although Paul levelled the scores with a penalty, his kicking was otherwise wayward.

He missed three other penalty attempts, and Cardiff defended superbly against wave after wave of Gloucester pressure.

Thomas kicked a 35th-minute penalty and then dropped a lengthy drop-goal right on half-time to give Cardiff a 16-10 lead.

The warning signs were obvious for Gloucester who lost both wingers - Marcel Garvey and James Simpson-Daniel - to injuries.

They responded nonetheless with an immediate try after the re-start when James Bailey slalomed his way in at the right corner after Paul and Nathan Mauger swept long passes down the line.

Cardiff's forwards were producing a mammoth effort, and Thomas nudged his side 19-15 ahead with a long-range penalty.

Gloucester continued to make errors. Yet when Shaun James was sin-binned Paul created their third try to put them back in front.

His little chip was gathered brilliantly by Fanolua, who managed to hold off Rhys Williams on his way to the line - and another Gloucester penalty from Paul put them four points to the good.

There was more late pressure from Cardiff and yet more injury concerns for Gloucester - but they held on for victory.