AN injury-time try by Tony Windo and a conversion from Shane Drahm gave Warriors their first-ever win against Saracens in a memorable contest at Sixways.

A crowd of more than 9,000 roared Worcester on to a frantic finale that ended with them edging one of the title favourites by a single point and climbing to fifth in the Guinness Premiership table.

Saracens had their front row decimated by injuries in the second-half but, despite the scrums being uncontested, Warriors swapped like-for-like and their re-inforcements were crucial in the final push that saw them clinch victory.

With the hosts trailing by six points in the dying moments, Craig Gillies claimed the ball at the line-out and, from the driving maul, Pat Sanderson thought he had carried the ball over for a crucial score only for referee Dave Pearson to decide it was short.

The Warriors pack channelled their frustration and, with Tevita Taumoepeau coming on for the injured Chris Horsman, and Tim Collier, Chris Fortey and Kai Horstmann already thrown into the action, they had too much power for the make-shift Saracens forwards and Windo pounced for the second time in seven days.

Drahm, who had struggled all day with his goal-kicking, finished the job off withn a kick in front of the posts.

But the game was not just a war of attrition between two sets of strong forwards. There was plenty to catch the eye among the backs.

French flair was very much the order of the day. For Saracens, Thomas Castaignede was, quite literally, at the centre of their attack. His running, kicking, and eye for a pass caused Worcester no end of problems.

But Warriors had their own Gallic influence in the tiny shape of Nicolas Le Roux. The full-back signalled his intent early on when he picked up Castaignede's kick and launched a stunning counter-attack.

After Drahm missed two easy penalties, Dan Scarborough went over in the corner for the visitors to end a move that began when Andy Gom-arsall was dispossessed inside the Saracens '22'.

But, if there was a turning point, it came after 21 minutes when lock Kris Chesney hurled Le Roux into a water canister long after the player had released the ball.

That sparked fury among the Worcester players and supporters. Although the home side had Andre Van Niekerk sin-binned for the skirmish that ensued, the referee also dished out yellow cards to Chesney and scrum-half Alan Dickens.

Warriors went ahead when David Seymour picked the ball up in an offside position as Gomarsall was set to lunge for the line. A penalty try was awarded and Drahm settled his nerves with the kick.

Richard Haughton hit back for Saracens and Glen Jackson converted a fine kick to give Warriors a tough second-half assignment.

Their task was even harder when Castaignede crossed within three minutes of the re-start.

Le Roux delighted the home fans when he sent Scarborough tumbling and moments later Worcester were celebrating another try. Sanderson off-loaded the ball to Drew Hickey and the number eight stormed over in the corner.

Drahm missed the kick, but slotted a penalty shortly after to edge Worcester ahead.

For all their courage and passion, it looked like Warriors were going to suffer their first defeat of the season when Scarborough got his second try of the afternoon six minutes from time.

But the Sixways side refused to give in and their battling performance was rewarded with the narrowest of wins.

n Warriors: Le Roux, Hylton, Rasmussen, Lombard (Trueman), Hinshelwood, Drahm, Gomarsall (Powell), Windo, Van Niekerk (C Fortey), Horsman (Taumoepeau), Murphy (Collier), Gillies, Vaili (Horstmann), Sanderson, Hickey.

Warriors man-of-the-match: Nicolas Le Roux.

Referee: Dave Pearson. Attendance: 9,140.