Perpignan held on for a nailbiting win in Heineken Cup Pool Two despite a late flourish by Leeds Tykes.

Leeds had led for most of the game thanks to David Doherty's try and a penalty by captain for the day Gordon Ross.

But a second try by Samueli Dawai Naulu on 64 minutes proved enough to separate the sides despite a late surge by Leeds who were at least rewarded with a bonus point.

The Tykes are languishing at the foot of the Guinness Premiership and few would have given them much chance at Perpignan who have only lost two of their 17 games in the Heineken Cup at Stade Aime Giral.

Leeds' chances looked even slimmer when Dawai Naulu caught his own kick ahead to score in the corner just six minutes into the game. Nicolas Laharrague converted for an early 7-0 lead.

The Tykes pack competed to gain a fair share of possession but it was a classic counter-attack from deep inside their own half which brought about their first score following a break by captain Gordon Ross.

The Scot was at the centre of their controversial win over Perpignan last week when he was allowed to re-take his last-minute conversion which he subsequently converted. This time he used his pace to split the Perpignan defence just yards from his own goal-line.

Ross galloped out of defence before finding Andre Snyman on his shoulder. The former Springbok used all his experience to draw in the last defender before slipping the pass out to full-back Doherty who crossed in the corner.

Ross missed with the conversion but five minutes later was on target to convert his first penalty and give Leeds a one-point lead. He had the chance to extend that lead but pushed his speculative long-range effort wide to the left on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a tight affair with neither side giving an inch.

However it was Perpignan who profited from a rare lapse in concentration by Leeds.

Manny Edmonds sparked the counter-attack which was finished by Dawai Naulu for what was to be the winning try.

Leeds were in the game until the final whistle after Laharrague missed the conversion as well as a later penalty but they could not find their way through in a final push to the line.