Gloucester moved to within a bonus-point victory of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals after brushing off French challengers Bourgoin at Kingsholm to win 51-27.

It means the clear Pool Two leaders can afford to lose their next European clash against the Ospreys in a month's time, provided they claim a Kingsholm maximum when already-eliminated Ulster arrive the following weekend.

Wins in both fixtures should see Gloucester through as top seeds, guaranteeing a home draw against the second of two best runners-up.

Gloucester's crucial fourth try arrived just seven minutes into the second half, ending Bourgoin's spirited resistance.

Flanker Akapusi Qera, number eight Gareth Delve and full-back Iain Balshaw claimed first-half touchdowns before Willie Walker - on as a replacement for Balshaw - dazzled Bourgoin's defence by scoring a brilliant solo try.

Fly-half Ryan Lamb amassed 26 points, including all six conversions and a 60-metre interception try, as Gloucester continued an impressive march towards the knockout stages.

Bourgoin, smashed 49-13 on their last Kingsholm visit, posted tries from wing Mathieu Nicolas, hooker Jean-Philippe Genevois and flanker Brice Monzeglio.

Fly-half Benjamin Boyet slotted two penalties and all three conversions, but Bourgoin were left to reflect on an eighth successive Heineken Cup pool stage exit.

Lesley Vainikolo, who returned to the Gloucester line-up after flying back from New Zealand following a family bereavement that meant he missed last Friday's 31-7 victory in Bourgoin, added the final home score to huge acclaim from a 12,000 crowd.

That result a week ago effectively ended Bourgoin's quarter-final hopes, and they arrived in the west country striving to avoid a 16th successive Heineken Cup away defeat.

A much-changed Bourgoin side saw former Wales international Chris Wyatt start in the second row, while Boyet took over captaincy duties.

And after a quickfire penalty contest between Lamb and Boyet that saw Gloucester lead 9-6 after 17 minutes, the Guinness Premiership leaders eased clear.

Bourgoin, who had started brightly despite having little to play for, leaked two tries in four minutes - both converted by Lamb - as Gloucester moved 23-6 ahead.

Qera claimed the opener, capitalising on centre Mike Tindall's kick into space, although Irish referee George Clancy missed a glaring forward pass by Balshaw to Lamb during the build-up.

But there was no debate surrounding Gloucester's second touchdown after sustained pressure resulted in Delve crossing wide out.

Bourgoin could have folded after suffering such a severe double setback, and matters deteriorated when lock Damien Fevre was sin-binned, yet they hit back with a breakaway try by Nicolas that Boyet converted.

Gloucester, without hitting top gear during a lively opening period, had the final say after a brilliant Lamb pass sent Qera galloping clear and they comfortably used a gaping overlap with Balshaw cashing in for a 30-13 interval lead.

Walker's weaving break ended the game as a contest, and Gloucester entered the final quarter just six points short of a half-century after Lamb intercepted Boyet's pass and sprinted clear unopposed.

The Bourgoin forwards then mustered a concerted drive that ended with Genevois crashing over, yet Gloucester were not finished as Vainikolo rounded off another sweeping move.

Lamb's conversion - his ninth successful kick from nine attempts - meant he finished just two points short of equalling the individual Gloucester Heineken Cup scoring record of 28, held by Simon Mannix.

But Bourgoin at least finished with a flourish, utilising their forward power to further impressive effect as Monzeglio rumbled his way over.